Touch sensor and display device

Abstract

A touch sensor and a display device capable of detecting the touch and approach of an object are provided. The touch sensor includes: a base layer; a first electrode member including a plurality of first electrodes arranged on the base layer along a first direction and electrically connected to each other along the first direction, each of the plurality of first electrodes including a first opening; a second electrode member including a plurality of second electrodes arranged on the base layer along a second direction intersecting the first direction and electrically connected to each other along the second direction; a conductive member including a plurality of conductive patterns electrically connected to each other along the first direction; and a proximity detector electrically connected to the conductive member and configured to detect the approach of an object by receiving a proximity sensing signal from the conductive member, wherein each of the plurality of conductive patterns is respectively located in the first opening of each of the plurality of first electrodes and is spaced apart from each of the plurality of first electrodes.

Description

[0001] This application claims the benefit of Korean Patent Application No. 10-2018-0119141 filed on October 5, 2018, in the Korean Intellectual Property Office, the disclosure of which is incorporated herein in its entirety by reference. Technical Field

[0002] The present disclosure relates to a touch sensor and a display device. Background Art

[0003] Electronic devices that provide images to users, such as smartphones, tablet personal computers (PCs), digital cameras, notebook computers, navigation systems, and smart TVs, include display devices for displaying images. In addition to a display panel that generates and displays images, the display device may also include various input devices.

[0004] Recently, touch sensors that recognize a user's touch input have been widely used in display devices mainly in smart phones and tablet PCs. Due to its convenience and enhanced interactivity with the user, the touch sensor is rapidly replacing conventional input devices such as small keyboards.

[0005] Recent research has focused on integrating various types of sensors into touch sensors. Summary of the invention

[0006] Aspects of the present disclosure provide a touch sensor that can also be used as a proximity sensor.

[0007] However, aspects of the present disclosure are not limited to the embodiments set forth herein. The above and other aspects of the present disclosure will become more apparent to those skilled in the art to which the present disclosure pertains by referring to the detailed description of the present disclosure given below.

[0008] An embodiment of a touch sensor includes: a base layer; a first electrode member including a plurality of first electrodes arranged on the base layer along a first direction and electrically connected to each other along the first direction, each first electrode including a first opening; a second electrode member including a plurality of second electrodes arranged on the base layer along a second direction intersecting the first direction and electrically connected to each other along the second direction; a conductive member including a plurality of conductive patterns electrically connected to each other along the first direction; and a proximity detector electrically connected to the conductive member and configured to detect the approach of an object by receiving a proximity sensing signal from the conductive member, wherein each of the plurality of conductive patterns is respectively located in the first opening of each of the plurality of first electrodes and is spaced apart from each of the plurality of first electrodes.

[0009] An embodiment of a touch sensor includes: a base layer; a first electrode member including a plurality of first electrodes arranged on the base layer along a first direction and electrically connected to each other along the first direction, each of the plurality of first electrodes including a first opening; a second electrode member including a plurality of second electrodes arranged on the base layer along a second direction intersecting the first direction and electrically connected to each other along the second direction, each of the plurality of second electrodes including a second opening; a first conductive member including a plurality of first conductive patterns electrically connected to each other along the first direction; a second conductive member spaced apart from the first conductive member and including a plurality of second conductive patterns electrically connected to each other along the first direction; and a proximity detector electrically connected to the second conductive member and configured to detect proximity of an object by receiving a proximity sensing signal from the second conductive member, wherein the second electrode member is provided in plurality, and the plurality of second electrode members are spaced apart from each other along the first direction, each of the plurality of first conductive patterns is respectively located in the first opening of each of the plurality of first electrodes and is spaced apart from each of the plurality of first electrodes, and each of the second conductive patterns is respectively located in the second opening of each of the plurality of second electrodes and is spaced apart from each of the plurality of second electrodes.

[0010] An embodiment of a display device includes: a base substrate; a light emitting element located on the base substrate; a thin film encapsulation layer located on the light emitting element; an electrode located on the thin film encapsulation layer and including an opening; a conductive pattern located in the opening and spaced apart from the electrode; and a proximity detector electrically connected to the conductive pattern and configured to detect proximity of an object by receiving a proximity sensing signal from the conductive pattern. BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

[0011] These and / or other aspects will become clear and more easily understood through the following description of the embodiments in conjunction with the accompanying drawings, in which:

[0012] Figure 1 is a schematic diagram of a touch sensor and a display device including the touch sensor according to an embodiment;

[0013] Figure 2 is based on Figure 1 A block diagram of a touch sensor of the embodiment shown in FIG.

[0014] Figure 3 Shows Figure 2 A plan view of a touch sensor, a sensing portion of the touch sensor, and a connection relationship between the sensing portion and a touch controller;

[0015] Figure 4 yes Figure 3 An enlarged plan view of part Qa;

[0016] Figure 5 Shows Figure 4An exemplary structure of the first layer of the sensing portion;

[0017] Figure 6 yes Figure 5 An enlarged plan view of a portion Q1;

[0018] Figure 7 yes Figure 5 an enlarged plan view of a portion Q2;

[0019] Figure 8 Shows Figure 4 An exemplary structure of the second layer of the sensing portion;

[0020] Fig. 9 is along Figure 4 A cross-sectional view taken along X1-X1';

[0021] Fig.10 is along Figure 4 A cross-sectional view taken along X2-X2';

[0022] Fig.11 Shown according to Figure 5 An exemplary structure of the first layer of a modified example;

[0023] Fig.12 Shown according to Figure 8 An exemplary structure of the second layer of the modified example;

[0024] Fig.13 It is shown Fig. 9 A sectional view of a modified example of ;

[0025] Fig.14 It is shown Fig.10 A sectional view of a modified example of ;

[0026] Fig.15 Shown according to Figure 5 An exemplary structure of the first layer of a modified example;

[0027] Fig.16 Shown according to Figure 8 An exemplary structure of the second layer of the modified example;

[0028] Fig.17 It is shown Fig. 9 A sectional view of a modified example of ;

[0029] Fig.18 It is shown Fig.10 A sectional view of a modified example of ;

[0030] Fig.19 yes Figure 5 an enlarged plan view of a portion Q3;

[0031] Fig. 20 is along Fig.19 A cross-sectional view taken along X3-X3';

[0032] Fig.21A is a diagram for explaining a touch position detection operation of a touch sensor according to an embodiment;

[0033] Fig. 21B It is used to explain Fig.21A A diagram showing the operation of the switching circuit;

[0034] Fig. 22 Specifically shows the connection relationship between the sensing part and the touch controller according to the embodiment;

[0035] Fig.23 is a block diagram of a touch sensor according to an embodiment;

[0036] Fig.24 Shows Fig.23 A plan view of a touch sensor, a sensing portion of the touch sensor, and a connection relationship between the sensing portion and a touch controller;

[0037] Fig.25 yes Fig.24 An enlarged plan view of a portion Qb;

[0038] Fig.26 Shows Fig.25 An exemplary structure of the first layer of the sensing portion;

[0039] Fig. 27 Shows Fig.25 An exemplary structure of the second layer of the sensing portion;

[0040] Fig.28 is along Fig.25 A cross-sectional view taken along line X4-X4';

[0041] Fig.29 Shown according to Fig.26 An exemplary structure of the first layer of a modified example;

[0042] Fig.30 Shown according to Fig. 27 An exemplary structure of the second layer of the modified example;

[0043] Fig.31 It is shown Fig.28 A sectional view of a modified example of ;

[0044] Fig.32 Shown according to Fig.26 An exemplary structure of the first layer of a modified example;

[0045] Fig.33 Shown according to Fig. 27 An exemplary structure of the second layer of the modified example;

[0046] Fig.34 It is shown Fig.28 A sectional view of a modified example of ;

[0047] Fig.35 is a diagram for explaining a touch position detection operation of a touch sensor according to an embodiment;

[0048] Fig.36 Specifically shows the connection relationship between the sensing part and the touch controller according to the embodiment;

[0049] Fig.37 is a diagram for explaining a touch position detection operation of a touch sensor according to an embodiment;

[0050] Fig.38 Specifically shows the connection relationship between the sensing part and the touch controller according to the embodiment;

[0051] Fig.39 is a diagram for explaining a touch position detection operation of a touch sensor according to an embodiment;

[0052] Fig.40 Specifically shows the connection relationship between the sensing part and the touch controller according to the embodiment;

[0053] Fig.41 is a block diagram of a touch sensor according to an embodiment;

[0054] Fig.42 Shows Fig.41 A plan view of a touch sensor, a sensing portion of the touch sensor, and a connection relationship between the sensing portion and a touch controller;

[0055] Fig.43 yes Fig.42 An enlarged plan view of a portion Qc;

[0056] Fig.44 Shows Fig.43 An exemplary structure of the first layer of the sensing portion;

[0057] Fig.45 Shows Fig.43 An exemplary structure of the second layer of the sensing portion;

[0058] Fig.46 Shows Fig.43 An exemplary structure of the third layer of the sensing portion;

[0059] Fig.47 is along Fig.43 A cross-sectional view taken along line X5-X5';

[0060] Fig.48 Shown according to Fig.44 An exemplary structure of the first layer of a modified example;

[0061] Fig.49 Shown according to Fig.45 An exemplary structure of the second layer of the modified example;

[0062] Fig.50 Shown according to Fig.46 An exemplary structure of the third layer of the modified example;

[0063] Fig.51 It is shown Fig.47 A sectional view of a modified example of ;

[0064] Fig.52 Shown according to Fig.44 An exemplary structure of the first layer of a modified example;

[0065] Fig.53 Shown according to Fig.45 An exemplary structure of the second layer of the modified example;

[0066] Fig.54 Shown according to Fig.46 An exemplary structure of the third layer of the modified example;

[0067] Fig.55 It is shown Fig.47 A sectional view of a modified example of ;

[0068] Fig.56 is a diagram for explaining a touch position detection operation of a touch sensor according to an embodiment;

[0069] Fig.57 Specifically shows the connection relationship between the sensing part and the touch controller according to the embodiment;

[0070] Fig.58 is a diagram for explaining a touch position detection operation of a touch sensor according to an embodiment;

[0071] Fig.59 Specifically shows the connection relationship between the sensing part and the touch controller according to the embodiment;

[0072] Fig.60 is a diagram for explaining a touch position detection operation of a touch sensor according to an embodiment;

[0073] Fig.61 Specifically shows the connection relationship between the sensing part and the touch controller according to the embodiment;

[0074] Fig.62 Shows Figure 4 Modification example of:

[0075] Fig.63 Shows Fig.62 An exemplary structure of the first layer of the sensing portion;

[0076] Fig.64 Shows Fig.62 An exemplary structure of the second layer of the sensing portion;

[0077] Fig.65 is along Fig.62 A cross-sectional view taken along X1a-X1a';

[0078] Fig.66 is along Fig.62 A cross-sectional view taken along X2a-X2a';

[0079] Fig.67 Shows Fig.62 Modification example of:

[0080] Fig.68 Shows Fig.67 An exemplary structure of the first layer of the sensing portion;

[0081] Fig.69 Shows Fig.67 An exemplary structure of the second layer of the sensing portion;

[0082] Fig.70 is along Fig.67 A cross-sectional view taken along X1b-X1b';

[0083] Fig.71 is along Fig.67 A cross-sectional view taken along X2b1-X2b1';

[0084] Fig.72 is along Fig.67 A cross-sectional view taken along X2b2-X2b2';

[0085] Fig.73 Shows Fig.67 Modification example of:

[0086] Fig.74 Shows Fig.73 An exemplary structure of the first layer of the sensing portion; and

[0087] Fig.75 Shows Fig.73 FIG. 4 is an exemplary structure of the second layer of the sensing portion. DETAILED DESCRIPTION

[0088] By referring to the detailed description and accompanying drawings of the following example embodiments, the features of the inventive concept and the methods for implementing the inventive concept can be more easily understood. However, the inventive concept can be implemented in many different forms and should not be interpreted as being limited to the example embodiments set forth herein. On the contrary, these embodiments are provided so that the present disclosure will be thorough and complete, and will fully convey the inventive concept to those skilled in the art. Unless the context clearly indicates otherwise, the same reference numerals represent the same elements throughout the specification.

[0089] The terms used herein are only used for the purpose of describing specific embodiments and are not intended to limit the inventive concept. Unless the context clearly indicates otherwise, the singular forms "a", "one", and "the" as used herein are also intended to include plural forms. It will be further understood that when the term "comprising" and / or its variations are used in this specification, it indicates the presence of the features, wholes, steps, operations, elements and / or components described, but does not exclude the presence or addition of one or more other features, wholes, steps, operations, elements, components and / or their groups.

[0090] It will be understood that when an element or layer is referred to as being "on," "connected to," or "bound to" another element or layer, the element or layer may be directly on, connected to, or bound to the other element or layer, or one or more intervening elements or layers may be present. Conversely, when an element or layer is referred to as being "directly on," "directly connected to," or "directly bound to" another element or layer, there are no intervening elements or layers. As used herein, the term "and / or" includes any and all combinations of one or more of the associated listed items.

[0091] It will be understood that, although the terms first, second, etc. can be used here to describe various elements, components, regions, layers and / or parts, these elements, components, regions, layers and / or parts should not be limited by these terms. These terms are only used to distinguish an element, component, region, layer or part from another element, component, region, layer or part. Therefore, without departing from the teaching of the inventive concept, the first element, first component, first region, first layer or first part discussed below can be referred to as the second element, second component, second region, second layer or second part.

[0092] Embodiments of the present disclosure may be described herein with reference to plan views and / or cross-sectional views that are schematic illustrations of idealized embodiments of the present disclosure. As such, variations in the shapes of the illustrations, such as those caused by manufacturing techniques and / or tolerances, will be expected. Therefore, embodiments of the present disclosure should not be interpreted as being limited to the specific shapes of the regions shown herein, but will include shape deviations that may be caused, for example, by manufacturing. Therefore, the regions shown in the drawings are schematic in nature, and their shapes are not intended to illustrate the actual shapes of the regions of the elements, and are not intended to limit the scope of the present disclosure.

[0093] The size and thickness of each component shown in the drawings are shown for ease of description, and the present disclosure is not necessarily limited to the sizes and thicknesses of the components shown in the drawings.

[0094] Hereinafter, example embodiments will be described with reference to the accompanying drawings.

[0095] Figure 1 is a schematic diagram of a display device 1 according to an embodiment, Figure 2 yes Figure 1 A block diagram of a touch sensor TSM is shown in FIG.

[0096] Reference Figure 1 and Figure 2 , the display device 1 according to the embodiment includes a touch sensor TSM and a display panel 300. The display device 1 may further include a display panel driver 400. The touch sensor TSM includes a sensing part 100 and a touch controller 200.

[0097] exist Figure 1 , the sensing portion 100 and the display panel 300 are shown as being separated from each other. However, note that this is only for ease of description, and the sensing portion 100 and the display panel 300 may also be formed integrally with each other.

[0098] The display panel 300 includes a display area DA and a non-display area NDA surrounding at least one side of the display area DA. The display area DA includes a plurality of scan lines 310, a plurality of data lines 320, and a plurality of pixels P connected to the scan lines 310 and the data lines 320. The non-display area NDA may include wiring and signal lines for carrying various driving signals and power signals for driving the pixels P.

[0099] In the present disclosure, the display panel 300 may be of various types and is not specifically limited to a specific type. For example, the display panel 300 may be a self-luminous display panel such as an organic light-emitting display panel including a plurality of organic light-emitting diodes (OLEDs), a quantum dot light-emitting display (QLED) panel, a micro light-emitting diode (LED) display panel, or a nano LED display panel. Alternatively, the display panel 300 may be a non-luminous display panel such as a liquid crystal display (LCD) panel, an electrophoretic display (EPD) panel, or an electrowetting display (EWD) panel. If the display panel 300 is a non-luminous display panel, the display device 1 may further include a backlight for supplying light to the display panel 300. For ease of description, the case where the display panel 300 is an organic light-emitting display panel will be described as an example below.

[0100] The display panel driver 400 is electrically connected to the display panel 300 to supply a signal for driving the display panel 300. For example, the display panel driver 400 may include at least one of a scan driver for supplying a scan signal to the scan line 310, a data driver for supplying a data signal to the data line 320, and a timing controller for supplying a timing signal for driving the scan driver and the data driver. According to an embodiment, the scan driver, the data driver, and / or the timing controller may be integrated into a single display integrated circuit (D-IC). Alternatively, in an embodiment, at least one of the scan driver, the data driver, and the timing controller may be integrated or mounted on the display panel 300.

[0101] The sensing portion 100 may be disposed on at least one region of the display panel 300. For example, the sensing portion 100 may be disposed on at least one surface of the display panel 300 to at least partially overlap with a portion of the display panel 300. For example, the sensing portion 100 may be disposed on one surface (e.g., the upper surface) of the display panel 300 among two surfaces (e.g., the upper surface and the lower surface) of the display panel 300 in a direction in which an image is displayed. Alternatively, the sensing portion 100 may be directly formed on at least one of the two surfaces of the display panel 300, or may be formed inside the display panel 300. For example, the sensing portion 100 may be directly formed on the outer surface of the upper substrate (or thin film encapsulation layer) or the lower substrate of the display panel 300 (e.g., the upper surface of the upper substrate or the lower surface of the lower substrate), or may be directly formed on the inner surface (e.g., the lower surface of the upper substrate or the upper surface of the lower substrate) of the upper substrate or the lower substrate.

[0102] The sensing portion 100 includes a sensing area SA and a peripheral area NSA surrounding at least a portion of the sensing area SA. In some embodiments, the sensing area SA may correspond to an area in which the sensing portion 100 can sense a touch input, and the peripheral area NSA may correspond to an area in which the sensing portion 100 cannot sense a touch input. According to an embodiment, the sensing area SA may correspond to a display area DA of the display panel 300, and the peripheral area NSA may correspond to a non-display area NDA of the display panel 300. For example, the sensing area SA of the sensing portion 100 may overlap with the display area DA of the display panel 300, and the peripheral area NSA of the sensing portion 100 may overlap with the non-display area NDA of the display panel 300.

[0103] A plurality of first electrode members 120 and a plurality of second electrode members 130 for detecting a touch input may be disposed in the sensing area SA of the sensing portion 100 .

[0104] The first electrode members 120 may extend in a first direction x and may be spaced apart from each other in a second direction y intersecting the first direction x. That is, the first electrode members 120 extending in the first direction x may be spaced apart from each other in the second direction y to form a plurality of electrode rows.

[0105] The second electrode members 130 may extend in the second direction y and may be spaced apart from each other in the first direction x. The second electrode members 130 may be spaced apart from the first electrode members 120 and may be insulated from the first electrode members 120. That is, the second electrode members 130 extending in the second direction y may be separated from each other in the first direction x to form a plurality of electrode columns.

[0106] The shape, size and / or arrangement direction of the first electrode member 120 and the second electrode member 130 are not particularly limited to the present embodiment. As a non-limiting example, the first electrode member 120 and the second electrode member 130 may be as follows: Figure 3 The structure shown in FIG. will be described later Figure 3 Details of the embodiment shown in FIG.

[0107] The first electrode member 120 and the second electrode member 130 may be electrically connected to the touch controller 200. In some embodiments, each second electrode member 130 may be a driving electrode member that receives a driving signal Ts for touch detection from the touch controller 200, and each first electrode member 120 may be a sensing electrode member that outputs a sensing signal Rs for touch detection to the touch controller 200.

[0108] The first electrode member 120 and the second electrode member 130 may overlap at least one electrode of the display panel 300. For example, when the display panel 300 is an organic light emitting display panel, the first electrode member 120 and the second electrode member 130 may overlap a cathode of an organic light emitting diode (OLED) included in the display panel 300.

[0109] A plurality of first conductive members 150 may be disposed in the sensing area SA of the sensing portion 100. Each first conductive member 150 may sense noise generated by the sensing portion 100 according to the operation of the switching circuit 250, and provide the sensed noise to the touch detector 270 as a noise sensing signal Ns. In addition, each first conductive member 150 may provide a proximity sensing signal Ps to the proximity detector 290 according to another operation of the switching circuit 250. The first conductive member 150 may be spaced apart from the first electrode member 120 and the second electrode member 130, and may be insulated from the first electrode member 120 and the second electrode member 130.

[0110] In some embodiments, like the first electrode member 120, the first conductive members 150 may extend in a first direction x, and may be spaced apart from each other in a second direction y intersecting the first direction x. The first conductive members 150 will be described in more detail later.

[0111] The touch controller 200 may be electrically connected to the sensing part 100 to supply a driving signal Ts to the sensing part 100, and may detect a touch position by receiving a sensing signal Rs corresponding to the driving signal Ts supplied by the sensing part 100. In addition, the touch controller 200 may be electrically connected to the first conductive member 150 to detect whether an object approaches.

[0112] In some embodiments, the touch controller 200 may include a touch driver 210, a touch detector 270, and a proximity detector 290. The touch controller 200 may further include a switch circuit 250 and an amplification circuit 230. According to an embodiment, the touch driver 210, the touch detector 270, the proximity detector 290, the switch circuit 250, and the amplification circuit 230 may be integrated into a single touch integrated circuit (T-IC).

[0113] The touch driver 210 may provide each second electrode member 130 with a driving signal Ts for detecting a touch input.

[0114] The touch detector 270 may detect the presence or absence of a touch input and / or the position of the touch input using a sensing signal Rs corresponding to the drive signal Ts received from each first electrode member 120 during a period of performing a touch sensing operation. In some embodiments, the sensing signal Rs may be a change in mutual capacitance between the first electrode member 120 and the second electrode member 130. More specifically, when a touch input occurs, the mutual capacitance at the position of the touch input and / or around the position of the touch input is changed. The touch detector 270 may receive a sensing signal Rs indicating a change in mutual capacitance between the first electrode member 120 and the second electrode member 130, and detect the presence or absence of a touch input and / or the position of the touch input based on the sensing signal Rs. In addition, the touch detector 270 may receive a noise sensing signal Ns from each first conductive member 150, and use the noise sensing signal Ns to remove or eliminate the noise component included in the sensing signal Rs.

[0115] In some embodiments, the touch detector 270 may include at least one amplifier for amplifying the sensing signal Rs, an analog-to-digital converter (ADC) connected to an output terminal of the amplifier, and a processor. Fig.21A and Fig. 22 These components of the touch detector 270 are described in more detail.

[0116] The proximity detector 290 is electrically connected to the first conductive members 150 and receives a proximity sensing signal Ps from each first conductive member 150 to detect the approach of an object. In some embodiments, the proximity sensing signal Ps may include a signal indicating a change in self-capacitance of the first conductive member 150 when an object approaches.

[0117] The switch circuit 250 may electrically connect the first conductive member 150 to one of the touch detector 270 and the proximity detector 290. In some embodiments, the switch circuit 250 may electrically connect the first conductive member 150 to the touch detector 270 during a first period in which the touch controller 200 performs a touch sensing operation. In addition, the switch circuit 250 may electrically connect the first conductive member 150 to the proximity detector 290 during a second period in which the touch controller 200 performs a proximity sensing operation. That is, in some embodiments, the touch controller 200 may switch between two modes (e.g., a touch sensing mode and a proximity sensing mode) according to the operation of the switch circuit 250.

[0118] The amplification circuit 230 is connected to the first conductive member 150 and the touch detector 270, and may amplify the noise sensing signal Ns provided by each first conductive member 150 or adjust the gain value of the noise sensing signal Ns. In some embodiments, the amplification circuit 230 may be connected between the switch circuit 250 and the touch detector 270. During the first period in which the touch controller 200 performs a touch sensing operation, the amplification circuit 230 may be electrically connected to the first conductive member 150, and may amplify the noise sensing signal Ns received from each first conductive member 150 or adjust the gain value of the noise sensing signal Ns, and provide the amplified or gain value-adjusted noise sensing signal Ns to the touch detector 270.

[0119] In some embodiments, the touch driver 210 , the touch detector 270 , the proximity detector 290 , the amplification circuit 230 , and the switch circuit 250 may be integrated into a single touch IC.

[0120] In some embodiments, some of the touch driver 210 , the touch detector 270 , the proximity detector 290 , the amplification circuit 230 , and the switch circuit 250 may be located in a location other than the interior of the touch IC.

[0121] Now refer to Figures 3 to 10 Let's describe the touch sensor TSM in more detail.

[0122] Figure 3 Shows Figure 2 1 is a plan view of a touch sensor TSM, a sensing portion 100 of the touch sensor TSM, and a connection relationship between the sensing portion 100 and a touch controller 200. Figure 4 yes Figure 3 An enlarged plan view of portion Qa. Figure 5 Shows Figure 4 1 is an exemplary structure of the first layer L1 of the sensing part 100. Figure 6 yes Figure 5 An enlarged plan view of portion Q1. Figure 7 yes Figure 5 An enlarged plan view of portion Q2. Figure 8 Shows Figure 4 1 and 2. FIG. 2 is an exemplary structure of the second layer L2 of the sensing part 100 and the positions of the contact holes. Fig. 9 is along Figure 4 A cross-sectional view taken along line X1-X1'. Fig.10 is along Figure 4 A cross-sectional view taken along line X2-X2'.

[0123] Reference Figures 3 to 10The sensing portion 100 includes a base layer 110, a first electrode member 120, a second electrode member 130 and a first conductive member 150. The sensing portion 100 may further include Figure 3 and Figure 4 The conductor 171 shown in FIG.

[0124] The base layer 110 may include a sensing area SA and a peripheral area NSA. The base layer 110 may be a layer used as a base of the sensing portion 100. In some embodiments, the base layer 110 may be one of the multiple layers constituting the display panel 300. In an embodiment in which the sensing portion 100 and the display panel 300 are formed integrally with each other, the base layer 110 may be at least one of the multiple layers constituting the display panel 300. For example, the base layer 110 may be a thin film encapsulation layer of the display panel 300. Alternatively, according to an embodiment, the base layer 110 may be a rigid substrate or a flexible substrate. For example, the base layer 110 may be a rigid substrate made of glass or tempered glass, or a flexible substrate made of a thin film of a flexible plastic material. The following will describe as an example a case where the base layer 110 is a layer including at least one of the multiple layers constituting the display panel 300 (e.g., a thin film encapsulation layer).

[0125] The first electrode member 120 , the second electrode member 130 , the first conductive member 150 , and the conductor 171 may be positioned on the sensing area SA of the base layer 110 .

[0126] As described above, the first electrode members 120 may extend in the first direction x and may be spaced apart from each other in the second direction y. Each of the first electrode members 120 spaced apart from each other in the second direction y may form an electrode row. Figure 3 , four first electrode members 120 are arranged along the second direction y to form four electrode rows. However, the present disclosure is not limited to this case, and the number of the first electrode members 120 may be variously changed.

[0127] Each first electrode member 120 may include a plurality of first electrodes 121 arranged along the first direction x and a plurality of first connection portions 123, each of the first connection portions 123 connecting the first electrodes 121 adjacent to each other along the first direction x. In the following description of the embodiments, the term "connection" may include physical and / or electrical "connection".

[0128] In some embodiments, Figure 5 As shown in , the first electrode 121 may be located in the first layer L1. The first electrode 121 may have a rhombus shape or a square shape. However, the shape of the first electrode 121 is not limited to the rhombus shape or the square shape, and may be changed to various shapes such as a triangle, a quadrilateral, a pentagon, a circle, and a bar.

[0129] The first electrode 121 may include a conductive material. Examples of conductive materials may include metals and metal alloys. Examples of metals may include gold (Au), silver (Ag), aluminum (Al), molybdenum (Mo), chromium (Cr), titanium (Ti), nickel (Ni), neodymium (Nd), copper (Cu), and platinum (Pt). The first electrode 121 may also be made of a transparent conductive material. Examples of transparent conductive materials may include silver nanowires (AgNW), indium tin oxide (ITO), indium zinc oxide (IZO), antimony zinc oxide (AZO), indium tin zinc oxide (ITZO), zinc oxide (ZnO), tin oxide (SnO 2 ), carbon nanotubes and graphene.

[0130] In some embodiments, the first electrode 121 may have a single-layer structure or a multi-layer structure. When the first electrode 121 has a multi-layer structure, the first electrode 121 may include a plurality of metal layers. For example, the first electrode 121 may have a three-layer structure of Ti / Al / Ti.

[0131] In some embodiments, the first electrode 121 may have a mesh structure that is invisible to the user. When the first electrodes 121 have a mesh structure, they may be arranged not to overlap with the light emitting area of ​​the display panel 300. In other words, a mesh hole overlapping with the light emitting area may be defined in each first electrode 121 having a mesh structure.

[0132] Each first electrode 121 may include a first opening OP1. For example, at least a central portion of each first electrode 121 may be opened to expose a layer located below the first electrode 121. For example, when the insulating layer IL is Fig. 9 When positioned below the first electrode 121 as shown in FIG. 1 , a portion of the insulating layer IL may be exposed through each first opening OP1 . However, the present disclosure is not limited to this case, and some first electrodes 121 may not include the first opening OP1 .

[0133] Each first connection portion 123 may contact and electrically connect the first electrodes 121 adjacent to each other along the first direction x. In some embodiments, each first connection portion 123 may be configured as a bridge-shaped connection pattern. In some embodiments, the first connection portion 123 may be located in a second layer L2 different from the first layer L1 in which the first electrode 121 is located, such as Figure 8 as shown in .

[0134] In some embodiments, Fig. 9As shown in FIG. 1 , the insulating layer IL may be located between the first electrode 121 and the first connection portion 123. In some embodiments, the first connection portion 123 located in the second layer L2 may be located on the base layer 110, the insulating layer IL may be located on the first connection portion 123, and the first electrode 121 located in the first layer L1 may be located on the insulating layer IL. The first connection portion 123 and the first electrode 121 may be connected and directly contact each other through a first contact hole CH1 formed in the insulating layer IL.

[0135] The insulating layer IL may include an insulating material. In some embodiments, the insulating material may be an inorganic insulating material or an organic insulating material. The inorganic insulating material may include at least one of aluminum oxide, titanium oxide, silicon oxide, silicon oxynitride, zirconium oxide, and hafnium oxide. The organic insulating material may include at least one of acrylic resin, methacrylic resin, polyisoprene, vinyl resin, epoxy resin, urethane resin, cellulose resin, siloxane resin, polyimide resin, polyamide resin, and perylene resin.

[0136] The first connection portion 123 may include a conductive material. In some embodiments, the first connection portion 123 may include the same material as the first electrode 121, or may include one or more materials selected from the materials exemplified as the constituent materials of the first electrode 121. In some embodiments, the first connection portion 123 may have a single-layer structure or a multi-layer structure. For example, the first connection portion 123 may have a three-layer structure of Ti / Al / Ti. Alternatively, the first connection portion 123 may be made of a material different from the first electrode 121.

[0137] exist Figure 3 and Figure 4 , one first connection portion 123 is disposed between two first electrodes 121 adjacent to each other along the first direction x. However, the number of first connection portions 123 connecting two adjacent first electrodes 121 may be variously changed. For example, two or more first connection portions 123 may be disposed between two first electrodes 121 adjacent to each other along the first direction x.

[0138] As described above, the second electrode members 130 may extend in the second direction y and may be spaced apart from each other in the first direction x. Each of the second electrode members 130 spaced apart from each other in the first direction x may form an electrode column. Figure 3 , three second electrode members 130 are arranged along the first direction x to form three electrode columns. However, the present disclosure is not limited to this case, and the number of the second electrode members 130 may be variously changed.

[0139] Each of the second electrode members 130 may include a plurality of second electrodes 131 arranged along the second direction y and a plurality of second connection portions 133 , each of the second connection portions 133 electrically connecting the second electrodes 131 adjacent to each other along the second direction y.

[0140] The second electrodes 131 may be electrically connected to each other along the second direction y. In addition, the second electrodes 131 may be spaced apart from each other along the first direction x.

[0141] Each second electrode 131 may include a second opening OP2. For example, at least a central portion of each second electrode 131 may be opened to expose a layer located below the second electrode 131. For example, when the insulating layer IL is Fig.10 When positioned below the second electrode 131 as shown in FIG. 1 , a portion of the insulating layer IL may be exposed through each second opening OP2 . However, the present disclosure is not limited to this case, and some second electrodes 131 may not include the second opening OP2 .

[0142] In some embodiments, in a plan view, the area of ​​each second opening OP2 may be different from the area of ​​each first opening OP1. For example, the area of ​​each second opening OP2 may be greater than the area of ​​each first opening OP1.

[0143] In some embodiments, Figure 5 As shown in , the second electrode 131 may be located in the same first layer L1 as the first electrode 121. The second electrode 131 may have a rhombus planar shape. However, the planar shape of the second electrode 131 is not limited to the rhombus shape, and may be changed to various shapes such as a triangle, a quadrilateral, a pentagon, a circle, and a stripe.

[0144] Each second connection portion 133 may contact and electrically connect the second electrodes 131 adjacent to each other along the second direction y. In some embodiments, the second connection portion 133 may be located in the same first layer L1 as the first electrode 121 and the second electrode 131. Figure 5 as shown in .

[0145] The second connection portion 133 may be insulated from the first connection portion 123 and may intersect the first connection portion 123 in a plan view. In some embodiments, the insulating layer IL may be located between the second connection portion 133 and the first connection portion 123, such as Fig. 9 and Fig.10 as shown in .

[0146] The second electrode 131 and the second connection portion 133 may include a conductive material. In some embodiments, the second electrode 131 and the second connection portion 133 may be made of the same conductive material as the first electrode 121 .

[0147] In some embodiments, when the first electrode 121 has a mesh structure, the second electrode 131 may also have a mesh structure.

[0148] In some embodiments, each second electrode 131 may be a touch drive electrode that receives a drive signal Ts for detecting a touch input and a location of the touch input, and each first electrode 121 may be a touch sensing electrode that outputs a sensing signal Rs for detecting a touch input and a location of the touch input.

[0149] The first conductive members 150 may be located in electrode rows formed by the first electrode members 120. In some embodiments, the first conductive members 150 may be respectively located in electrode rows formed by the first electrode members 120. As described above, each first conductive member 150 may output a noise sensing signal Ns or a proximity sensing signal Ps according to an operation mode of the touch sensor TSM.

[0150] Each of the first conductive members 150 may include a plurality of first conductive patterns 151 and a plurality of first connection lines 153 .

[0151] The first conductive patterns 151 may be located in the first openings OP1 of the first electrodes 121, respectively, and may be spaced apart from the first electrodes 121. Figure 5 As shown in , the first conductive pattern 151 may be located in the same first layer L1 as the first electrode 121 , and may be made of the same material as the first electrode 121 .

[0152] In some embodiments, when the first electrode 121 has a grid structure, the first conductive pattern 151 may also have a grid structure, such as Figure 6 as shown in .

[0153] Each first connection line 153 can electrically connect the first conductive patterns 151 that are located in the same electrode row and are adjacent to each other along the first direction x. Figure 8 As shown in , the first connection line 153 may be located in the same second layer L2 as the first connection portion 123 , and may be made of the same material as the first connection portion 123 .

[0154] In some embodiments, the first conductive pattern 151 and the first connection line 153 may be connected to each other through a second contact hole CH2 formed in the insulating layer IL.

[0155] The conductors 171 may be respectively located in the second openings OP2 of the second electrode 131. The second openings OP2 formed in the second electrode 131 may cause a difference in external light reflectivity. Therefore, pattern stains may be visible from the outside. The conductor 171 may reduce the difference in external light reflectivity, thereby reducing the occurrence of pattern stains that may be visible from the outside.

[0156] The conductor 171 may be spaced apart from the second electrode 131. In some embodiments, the conductor 171 may be in a floating state.

[0157] In some embodiments, the conductor 171 may have the same shape as the second opening OP2. For example, when the second opening OP2 is a rhombus shape, the conductor 171 may also be a rhombus shape.

[0158] The conductor 171 may be Figure 5 As shown in FIG. 1 , the first electrode 121 , the second electrode 131 , and the first conductive pattern 151 are located in the same first layer L1 , and may be made of the same material as one of the first electrode 121 , the second electrode 131 , and the first conductive pattern 151 .

[0159] In some embodiments, when the second electrode 131 has a grid structure, the conductor 171 may also have a structure such as Figure 7 The grid structure shown in .

[0160] In some embodiments, in a plan view, an area of ​​each first opening OP1 may be smaller than an area of ​​each second opening OP2 . Therefore, an area of ​​each conductor 171 may be larger than an area of ​​each first conductive pattern 151 .

[0161] In some embodiments, the wirings 901, 903, 905, and 907 may be disposed on the peripheral area NSA of the base layer 110. Figure 3 as shown in .

[0162] For example, the wirings 901, 903, 905, and 907 may include a third wiring 905 connected to each first electrode member 120, a first wiring 901 connected to one end of each second electrode member 130, a second wiring 903 connected to the other end of each second electrode member 130, and a fourth wiring 907 connected to each first conductive member 150. Here, the other end of each second electrode member 130 refers to an end opposite to the end of each second electrode member 130 connected to the first wiring 901. That is, the wiring connected to each second electrode member 130 may have a double wiring structure, which may improve the resistance-capacitance (RC) delay caused by the resistance of the second electrode member 130. However, the present disclosure is not limited to this case. For example, the wiring 903 may be omitted. Figure 3 One of the first wiring 901 and the second wiring 903 shown in FIG. In an embodiment, the wiring connected to each second electrode member 130 may have a single wiring structure.

[0163] Each of the first wiring 901 and the second wiring 903 may be provided in plural and may be respectively connected to the second electrode member 130. In addition, the third wiring 905 may be provided in plural and may be respectively connected to the first electrode member 120.

[0164] In some embodiments, only a single fourth wiring 907 may be provided, unlike the first wiring 901, the second wiring 903, and the third wiring 905. The single fourth wiring 907 may be connected to all the first conductive members 150. Therefore, the number of channels or pads allocated to the first conductive members 150 may be reduced, and the area occupied by the fourth wiring 907 in the peripheral area NSA may be reduced. In other embodiments, two or more fourth wirings 907 may also be provided.

[0165] The pad portions TP1 and TP2 may be located on the peripheral area NSA of the base layer 110. The pad portions TP1 and TP2 may be electrically connected to the wirings 901, 903, 905, and 907, and the touch controller 200 may be electrically connected to the pad portions TP1 and TP2.

[0166] In some embodiments, the pad portions TP1 and TP2 may include a first pad portion TP1 and a second pad portion TP2 spaced apart from each other along the first direction x. The first pad portion TP1 may be connected to the first wiring 901, the second wiring 903, and one or more fourth wirings 907, and the second pad portion TP2 may be connected to the third wiring 905. However, the present disclosure is not limited to this case. For example, the first pad portion TP1 and the second pad portion TP2 may form a single pad portion without being spaced apart from each other. In addition, the wiring connected to each of the first pad portion TP1 and the second pad portion TP2 may be changed differently.

[0167] In the touch sensor TSM according to the above-described embodiment, the first electrode 121, the second electrode 131, the first conductive pattern 151, and the conductor 171 located in the same first layer L1 can be formed simultaneously in the same process, thereby simplifying the manufacturing process. In addition, since the first electrode 121, the second electrode 131, and the first conductive pattern 151 are located in the same first layer L1, the touch sensor TSM can be implemented as a thin sensor while being used as a proximity sensor. In addition, since the touch sensor TSM is also used as a proximity sensor, there is no need to form a layer and / or hole for implementing a proximity sensor in the display device 1.

[0168] In addition, the first connection line 153 of the first conductive member 150 located in the same second layer L2 as the first connection portion 123 may be simultaneously formed in the same process, thereby further simplifying the manufacturing process.

[0169] In addition, since each of the first conductive members 150 may output the noise sensing signal Ns during the touch sensing operation of the touch sensor TSM, the touch sensor TSM may stably detect a touch input, and the sensing sensitivity of the touch sensor TSM may be improved.

[0170] However, the structure of the sensing part 100 is not limited to the above structure.

[0171] Fig.62 Shows Figure 4 's modified example. Fig.63 Shows Fig.62 1 . An exemplary structure of the first layer L1 ′ of the sensing part. Fig.64 Shows Fig.62 1 . An exemplary structure of the second layer L2 ′ of the sensing part. Fig.65 is along Fig.62 A cross-sectional view taken along line X1a-X1a'. Fig.66 is along Fig.62 A cross-sectional view taken along line X2a-X2a'.

[0172] Reference Figure 62 to Figure 66 ,and Figure 4 , Figure 5 , Figure 8 , Fig. 9 and Fig.10 In contrast, the first connection portion 123 of the first electrode member 120 may be located in the same first layer L1' as the first electrode 121 and the second electrode 131, and may be made of the same material as one of the first electrode 121 and the second electrode 131. In addition, the second connection portion 133 of the second electrode member 130 may be located in the same second layer L2' as the first connection line 153, and may be made of the same material as the first connection line 153. The second connection portion 133 and the second electrode 131 may be connected to each other through a contact hole CH1a formed in the insulating layer IL.

[0173] In the current modified example, since the second connection portion 133 is located in the second layer L2 ′, the first connection line 153 may bypass the second connection portion 133 in a plan view and overlap a portion of the second electrode 131 .

[0174] Other components are the same as above Figures 4 to 10 The other components described are the same, so their description is omitted.

[0175] Fig.67 Shows Fig.62 's modified example. Fig.68 Shows Fig.67 2 is an exemplary structure of the first layer L1" of the sensing part. Fig.69 Shows Fig.672 is an exemplary structure of the second layer L2" of the sensing part. Fig.70 is along Fig.67 A cross-sectional view taken along line X1b-X1b'. Fig.71 is along Fig.67 A cross-sectional view taken along line X2b1-X2b1'. Fig.72 is along Fig.67 A cross-sectional view taken along line X2b2-X2b2'.

[0176] Reference Figures 67 to 72 ,and Fig.62 In contrast, the second electrode member 130' may include a second electrode 131 and two second connection parts 1311 and 1313. One of the two second connection parts 1311 and 1313 is referred to as a first sub-connection part 1311, and the other is referred to as a second sub-connection part 1313. Each of the first sub-connection part 1311 and the second sub-connection part 1313 may electrically connect the second electrodes 131 adjacent to each other along the second direction y.

[0177] The first connection portion 123 of the first electrode member 120 may be located in the same first layer L1 ″ as the first and second electrodes 121 and 131 , and may be made of the same material as one of the first and second electrodes 121 and 131 .

[0178] The first and second sub connection portions 1311 and 1313 may be located in the same second layer L2 ″ as the first connection line 153 , and may be made of the same material as the first connection line 153 .

[0179] The first sub connection portion 1311 and the second electrode 131 may be connected to each other through a contact hole CH1a1 formed in the insulating layer IL. The second sub connection portion 1313 and the second electrode 131 may be connected to each other through a contact hole CH1a2 formed in the insulating layer IL.

[0180] In the current embodiment, the adjacent second electrodes 131 are connected to each other through two or more connection parts. Therefore, even if any one of the first sub-connection part 1311 and the second sub-connection part 1313 is disconnected, the electrical connection between the adjacent second electrodes 131 can be maintained by the other. This can improve the connection reliability between the adjacent second electrodes 131.

[0181] Other components are the same as above Figures 4 to 10 as well as Figure 62 to Figure 66 The other components described are the same, so their description is omitted.

[0182] Fig.73 Shows Fig.67 's modified example. Fig.74 Shows Fig.73An exemplary structure of the first layer L1''' of the sensing part. Fig.75 Shows Fig.73 An exemplary structure of the second layer L2''' of the sensing part.

[0183] Reference Figure 73 to Figure 75 ,and Figures 67 to 72 In contrast, the first conductive member 150' may include a first conductive pattern 151 and two first connection lines 1531 and 1533. One of the two first connection lines 1531 and 1533 will be referred to as a first sub-connection line 1531, and the other will be referred to as a second sub-connection line 1533. Each of the first sub-connection line 1531 and the second sub-connection line 1533 may electrically connect the first conductive patterns 151 adjacent to each other along the first direction x.

[0184] The first connection portion 123 of the first electrode member 120 may be located in the same first layer L1 ′″ as the first and second electrodes 121 and 131 , and may be made of the same material as one of the first and second electrodes 121 and 131 .

[0185] The first sub connection portion 1311 , the second sub connection portion 1313 , the first sub connection line 1531 , and the second sub connection line 1533 may be located in the same second layer L2 ′″ and may be made of the same material.

[0186] The first sub connection line 1531 and the first conductive pattern 151 may be connected to each other through a contact hole CH2a formed in the insulating layer IL. In addition, the second sub connection line 1533 and the first conductive pattern 151 may be connected to each other through a contact hole CH2b formed in the insulating layer IL.

[0187] In the current embodiment, adjacent first conductive patterns 151 are connected to each other through two or more connection lines. Therefore, even if any one of the first sub-connection line 1531 and the second sub-connection line 1533 is disconnected, the electrical connection between the adjacent first conductive patterns 151 can be maintained by the other one. This can improve the connection reliability between the adjacent first conductive patterns 151.

[0188] Other components are the same as above Figures 4 to 10 as well as Figure 62 to Figure 72 The other components described are the same, so their description is omitted.

[0189] In some embodiments, the structure of the touch sensor TSM, in particular, the position of the first conductive pattern 151 and the position of the first connection line 153 may be variously changed, and the position of the conductor 171 may also be variously changed.

[0190] Now about Figures 4 to 10The embodiment of the present invention describes a modified example of the position of the first conductive pattern 151, the position of the first connecting line 153, and the position of the conductor 171. Figures 62 to 75 In the modified example described above, the position of the first conductive pattern 151, the position of the first connection line 153, and the position of the conductor 171 can be changed similarly to the following description. In addition, the position of the first connection line 153 described above can be changed similarly to the position of the first connection line 153 described below. Figure 73 to Figure 75 The position of the first sub-connection line 1531 and the position of the second sub-connection line 1533 are described.

[0191] Fig.11 Shown according to Figure 5 An exemplary structure of the first layer L1a of the modified example. Fig.12 Shown according to Figure 8 An exemplary structure of the second layer L2a of the modified example. Fig.13 It is shown Fig. 9 A sectional view of a modified example of . Fig.14 It is shown Fig.10 A sectional view of a modified example of .

[0192] Reference Figures 11 to 14 ,and Figure 5 , Figure 8 , Fig. 9 and Fig.10 In contrast, the first conductive member 150 a may include a first lower conductive pattern 151 a and a first connection line 153 .

[0193] The first lower conductive pattern 151a may be located in a different layer from the first electrode 121 and the second electrode 131. For example, the first electrode 121 and the second electrode 131 may be located in the first layer L1a. In addition, the first lower conductive pattern 151a of the first conductive member 150a may be located in the same second layer L2a as the first connection portion 123 and the first connection line 153 of the first conductive member 150a, and may be made of the same material as one of the first connection portion 123 and the first connection line 153. The first lower conductive pattern 151a may be connected to the first connection line 153 in the second layer L2a.

[0194] In the present modified example, since the first lower conductive pattern 151a of the first conductive member 150a and the first connection line 153 are located in the same second layer L2a, the first conductive pattern 151a formed in the second layer L2a may be omitted. Figure 8 and Fig. 9 The second contact hole CH2 in the insulating layer IL is shown in FIG.

[0195] In some embodiments, Figure 5 , Figure 8 , Fig. 9 and Fig.10In contrast, the conductor 171 may be omitted and the lower conductor 171a may be located in the second opening OP2. The lower conductor 171a may be located in the same second layer L2a as the first connection portion 123 and the first connection line 153 of the first conductive member 150a, and may be made of the same material as one of the first connection portion 123 and the first connection line 153.

[0196] Fig.15 Shown according to Figure 5 An exemplary structure of the first layer L1b of the modified example. Fig.16 Shown according to Figure 8 An exemplary structure of the second layer L2b of the modified example. Fig.17 It is shown Fig. 9 A sectional view of a modified example of . Fig.18 It is shown Fig.10 A sectional view of a modified example of .

[0197] Reference Figures 15 to 18 ,and Figure 5 , Figure 8 , Fig. 9 and Fig.10 In contrast, the first conductive member 150b may include a first conductive pattern 151, a first connection line 153, and a first lower conductive pattern 151a.

[0198] The first conductive pattern 151 may be located in the same first layer L1b as the first electrode 121 and the second electrode 131. In addition, the first lower conductive pattern 151a and the first connection line 153 of the first conductive member 150b may be located in the same second layer L2b as the first connection portion 123, and may be made of the same material as the first connection portion 123. The first lower conductive pattern 151a may be connected to the first connection line 153 in the second layer L2b.

[0199] In some embodiments, the first lower conductive pattern 151 a and the first conductive pattern 151 may be connected to each other through a third contact hole CH3 formed in the insulating layer IL.

[0200] In some embodiments, Figure 5 , Figure 8 , Fig. 9 and Fig.10 In contrast, the lower conductor 171a may also be located in the second opening OP2. The lower conductor 171a may be located in the same second layer L2b as the first connection portion 123 and the first connection line 153, and may be made of the same material as one of the first connection portion 123 and the first connection line 153. In some embodiments, the lower conductor 171a may overlap with the conductor 171 in a plan view.

[0201] According to an embodiment, the base layer 110 used as the base of the sensing part 100 may be a thin film encapsulation layer of an organic light-emitting display panel. In this case, the base layer 110 may be implemented as a multilayer including at least one organic layer and at least one inorganic layer, or may be implemented as a single layer including a combination of an organic material and an inorganic material. For example, the base layer 110 may be a multilayer including at least two inorganic layers and at least one organic layer disposed between the inorganic layers. In a display device in which the base layer 110 is implemented as a thin film encapsulation layer of an organic light-emitting display panel, electrodes constituting the sensing part 100 and components constituting the display panel 100 may be formed on different surfaces of the base layer 110.

[0202] Fig.19 yes Figure 5 An enlarged plan view of portion Q3. Fig. 20 is along Fig.19 FIG. 1 is a cross-sectional view of the sensing portion 100 and the display panel 300 taken along line X3 - X3 ′.

[0203] Reference Fig.19 and Fig. 20 , the sensing portion 100 may include a thin film encapsulation layer of a display panel 300 (e.g., an organic light emitting display panel) as the base layer 110. That is, the display panel 300 and the sensing portion 100 may be formed integrally with each other. Hereinafter, the base layer 110 and the thin film encapsulation layer will be given the same reference numeral indicating that the base layer 110 corresponds to the thin film encapsulation layer of the display panel 300. For convenience, in Fig. 20 , only a light emitting element OLED (eg, an organic light emitting diode (OLED)) and one thin film transistor TFT connected to the light emitting element OLED among elements provided in each pixel of the display panel 300 are shown.

[0204] The display panel 300 includes a base substrate 330, a light emitting element OLED disposed on a surface of the base substrate 330, and a thin film encapsulation layer 110 disposed on the light emitting element OLED and covering at least a portion of the light emitting element OLED. In addition, according to an embodiment, the display panel 300 may further include at least one thin film transistor TFT connected to the light emitting element OLED. The thin film transistor TFT may be located between the base substrate 330 and the light emitting element OLED.

[0205] The display panel 300 may further include at least one power line, a signal line, and / or a capacitor which are not shown in the drawings.

[0206] According to an embodiment, the base substrate 330 may be a rigid substrate or a flexible substrate, and the material of the base substrate 330 is not particularly limited. For example, the base substrate 330 may be a thin film substrate having a flexible property.

[0207] The buffer layer BFL is disposed on the surface of the base substrate 330. The buffer layer BFL can prevent impurities from diffusing through the base substrate 330 and improve the flatness of the base substrate 330. The buffer layer BFL may be provided as a single layer, but may also be provided as a multilayer including at least two layers. The buffer layer BFL may be an inorganic insulating layer made of an inorganic material. For example, the buffer layer BFL may be made of silicon nitride, silicon oxide, or silicon oxynitride.

[0208] The thin film transistor TFT is disposed on the buffer layer BFL. The thin film transistor TFT includes an active layer ACT, a gate electrode GE, a source electrode SE, and a drain electrode DE. According to an embodiment, the active layer ACT may be disposed on the buffer layer BFL and may be made of a semiconductor material. For example, the active layer ACT may be a semiconductor pattern made of polycrystalline silicon, amorphous silicon, or an oxide semiconductor. One or more regions of the active layer ACT (for example, a region overlapping the gate electrode GE and the drain electrode DE) may not be doped with impurities, and other regions of the active layer ACT may be doped with impurities.

[0209] The gate insulating layer GI may be disposed on the active layer ACT, and the gate electrode GE may be disposed on the gate insulating layer GI. In addition, an interlayer insulating film ILA may be disposed on the gate electrode GE, and the source electrode SE and the drain electrode DE may be disposed on the interlayer insulating film ILA. The source electrode SE and the drain electrode DE may be contacted and electrically connected to the active layer ACT through contact holes CHA penetrating the gate insulating layer GI and the interlayer insulating film ILA, respectively.

[0210] According to an embodiment, a passivation layer PSV is disposed on the source electrode SE, the drain electrode DE, and the interlayer insulating film ILA. The passivation layer PSV may cover the thin film transistor TFT.

[0211] The light emitting element OLED is disposed on the passivation layer PSV. The light emitting element OLED may include a first electrode EL1, a second electrode EL2, and a light emitting layer EML disposed between the first electrode EL1 and the second electrode EL2. According to an embodiment, the first electrode EL1 of the light emitting element OLED may be an anode. The first electrode EL1 of the light emitting element OLED may be contacted and electrically connected to an electrode (e.g., a drain electrode DE) of the thin film transistor TFT through a contact hole CHB penetrating the passivation layer PSV.

[0212] A pixel defining layer PDL for defining a light emitting area PXA of each pixel is disposed on a surface of the substrate 330 on which the first electrode EL1 of the light emitting element OLED is formed. The pixel defining layer PDL may expose at least a portion of an upper surface of the first electrode EL1 and protrude from the base substrate 330 along the periphery of each pixel area.

[0213] The light emitting layer EML is disposed in the light emitting area PXA defined by the pixel defining layer PDL. For example, the light emitting layer EML may be disposed on an exposed portion of the upper surface of the first electrode EL1. According to an embodiment, the light emitting layer EML may have a multilayer thin film structure including at least a light generating layer. For example, the light emitting layer EML may include a hole injection layer, a hole transport layer, a light generating layer, a hole blocking layer (HBL), an electron transport layer (ETL), and an electron injection layer (EIL). According to an embodiment, the color of the light generated by the light emitting layer EML may be one of red, green, and blue. Alternatively, the color of the light generated by the light emitting layer EML may be one of magenta, cyan, and yellow.

[0214] The second electrode EL2 of the light emitting element OLED may be disposed on the light emitting layer EML. The second electrode EL2 of the light emitting element OLED may be a cathode.

[0215] The thin film encapsulation layer 110 may be disposed on the second electrode EL2 of the light emitting element OLED to cover the second electrode EL2 of the light emitting element OLED. The thin film encapsulation layer 110 may seal the light emitting element OLED. The thin film encapsulation layer 110 may include at least one inorganic layer (hereinafter, referred to as an encapsulation inorganic layer). The thin film encapsulation layer 110 may also include at least one organic layer (hereinafter, referred to as an encapsulation organic layer). The encapsulation inorganic layer protects the light emitting element OLED from moisture / oxygen, and the encapsulation organic layer protects the light emitting element OLED from foreign matter such as dust particles. When the light emitting element OLED is sealed by the thin film encapsulation layer 110, the thickness of the display device 1 may be reduced and flexible characteristics may be imparted.

[0216] The thin film encapsulation layer 110 may have a multi-layer structure or a single-layer structure. For example, the thin film encapsulation layer 110 may include a first encapsulation inorganic layer 111, an encapsulation organic layer 112, and a second encapsulation inorganic layer 113 sequentially stacked on the second electrode EL2.

[0217] In some embodiments, each of the first encapsulation inorganic layer 111 and the second encapsulation inorganic layer 113 can be made of silicon nitride, aluminum nitride, zirconium nitride, titanium nitride, hafnium nitride, tantalum nitride, silicon oxide, aluminum oxide, titanium oxide, tin oxide, cerium oxide, silicon oxynitride (SiON), or lithium fluoride.

[0218] In some embodiments, the encapsulating organic layer 112 may be made of acrylic resin, methacrylic resin, polyisoprene, vinyl resin, epoxy resin, urethane resin, cellulose resin, or perylene resin.

[0219] Note that the structure of the thin film encapsulation layer 110 is not limited to the above example, and the stacking structure of the thin film encapsulation layer 110 may be variously changed.

[0220] The components of the second layer L2 of the touch sensor TSM described above may be disposed on the thin film encapsulation layer 110. The insulating layer IL may be located on the second layer L2, and the first layer L1 of the touch sensor TSM may be located on the insulating layer IL. Fig. 20 , the first electrode 121 is shown as a component of the first layer L1. As described above, the first electrode 121 may have a mesh structure that is invisible to the user and may be disposed not to overlap with the light emitting area PXA. In other words, a mesh hole overlapping with the light emitting area PXA may be defined in each first electrode 121 having a mesh structure.

[0221] In the display device 1 according to the above-described embodiment, the display panel 300 may be implemented as an organic light emitting display panel having the thin film encapsulation layer 110 , and components of the sensing part 100 may be disposed on the thin film encapsulation layer 110 .

[0222] Now we will refer to Fig.21A , Fig. 21B and Fig. 22 The touch position detection operation of the touch sensor TSM will be described.

[0223] Fig.21A is a diagram for explaining a touch position detecting operation of the touch sensor TSM according to the embodiment. Fig. 21B It is used to explain Fig.21A The operation of the switching circuit 250 is shown in FIG. Fig. 22 The connection relationship between the sensing part 100 and the touch controller 200 according to the embodiment is specifically shown.

[0224] Reference Fig.21A , Fig. 21B and Fig. 22 In some embodiments, the touch controller 200 may perform different operations during the first time period T1 and the second time period T2. For example, the touch controller 200 may perform a touch sensing operation based on a change in mutual capacitance between each first electrode member 120 and each second electrode member 130 during the first time period T1, and may perform a proximity sensing operation based on a change in self-capacitance of each first conductive member 150 during a second time period T2 different from the first time period T1. The operation of each component of the touch controller 200 will now be described in more detail.

[0225] The touch driver 210 may provide the driving signal Ts to the second electrode member 130 through the first wiring 901 and the second wiring 903. In some embodiments, the driving signal Ts may be sequentially provided to each second electrode member 130. In some embodiments, the touch driver 210 may provide the driving signal Ts to the second electrode member 130 only during the first period T1. During the second period T2, the touch driver 210 may not provide the driving signal Ts, or may provide a signal different from the driving signal Ts.

[0226] The touch detector 270 may receive a sensing signal Rs from each first electrode member 120 through the third wiring 905. In some embodiments, the sensing signal Rs may include a signal indicating a change in mutual capacitance between a specific first electrode member 120 and its corresponding second electrode member 130 as described above. When a drive signal Ts is provided to each second electrode member 130, a mutual capacitance Cm is formed between each second electrode member 130 and each first electrode member 120. When a touch event such as a touch input occurs, the mutual capacitance Cm is changed. Each first electrode member 120 may output a sensing signal Rs corresponding to the drive signal Ts, and the sensing signal Rs output from each first electrode member 120 may be input to the touch detector 270. In some embodiments, the sensing signal Rs may include a signal indicating a change in mutual capacitance Cm.

[0227] In some embodiments, the touch detector 270 may include a plurality of sensing channels SC electrically connected to the first electrode member 120, respectively. In addition, the touch detector 270 may include at least one ADC 273 and a processor 275 connected to each sensing channel SC. In the following description, the sensing channel SC and the ADC 273 are described as separate components. However, in an embodiment, the ADC 273 may be included in each sensing channel SC.

[0228] The sensing channel SC may receive a sensing signal Rs from the first electrode member 120, amplify the received sensing signal Rs, and output the amplified sensing signal. In some embodiments, each sensing channel SC may include an analog front end including at least one amplifier 271 such as an operational amplifier (OP amp).

[0229] The amplifier 271 may include a first input terminal 2711, a second input terminal 2713, and an output terminal 2715. According to an embodiment, the first input terminal 2711 (e.g., an inverting input terminal of the OP amp) of the amplifier 271 may be electrically connected to the first electrode member 120 through the third wiring 905, and the sensing signal Rs may be input to the first input terminal 2711, respectively.

[0230] In some embodiments, the second input terminal 2713 of the amplifier 271 (e.g., the non-inverting input terminal of the OP amp) may be electrically connected to the first conductive member 150 or the amplification circuit 230 through the fourth wiring 907, and the noise sensing signal Ns may be provided to the second input terminal 2713 of the amplifier 271, respectively. Therefore, the reference voltage of the amplifier 271 may be changed according to the voltage change of the first conductive member 150, respectively. That is, the reference potential of the amplifier 271 may be changed according to the potential (voltage level) of the first conductive member 150, respectively.

[0231] During the first period T1 in which the touch is sensed based on the change in mutual capacitance, the potential of each first conductive member 150 may vary according to a noise signal introduced from, for example, the display panel 300 to the sensing portion 100. For example, the potential of each first conductive member 150 during the first period T1 may vary according to a common mode noise introduced from, for example, the display panel 300 to the sensing portion 100.

[0232] Therefore, if the first conductive member 150 is also provided in the sensing area SA and the reference potential of the amplifier 271 is changed by the noise sensing signal Ns sensed by the first conductive member 150 during the first period T1, the common mode noise introduced into the sensing part 100 can be eliminated (or removed). Specifically, the first electrode member 120 and the first conductive member 150 as sensing electrode members can have ripples corresponding to each other in response to the common mode noise. Specifically, since the first electrode member 120 and the first conductive member 150 extend in the same direction in the sensing area SA and are arranged at positions corresponding to each other, they can receive noise signals of the same or very similar shape and / or amplitude. In addition, the first electrode member 120 is electrically connected to the first input terminal 2711 of the amplifier 271 through the third wiring 905, and the first conductive member 150 is electrically connected to the second input terminal 2713 of the amplifier 271 through the fourth wiring 907 different from the third wiring 905. Therefore, the noise component (ripple) included in the sensing signal Rs provided from the first electrode member 120 can be effectively eliminated. Therefore, the signal output from the output terminal 2715 of the amplifier 271 may be a sensing signal from which noise is eliminated.

[0233] In some embodiments, each sensing channel SC may further include a capacitor C and a reset switch SW connected in parallel to each other between the first input terminal 2711 and the output terminal 2715 of the amplifier 271 .

[0234] In the above example, each amplifier 271 is implemented as an inverting amplifier (ie, the sense signal Rs is subtracted from the noise sense signal Ns). In an embodiment, each amplifier 271 may also be implemented as a non-inverting amplifier.

[0235] An output terminal 2715 of the amplifier 271 may be electrically connected to the ADC 273 .

[0236] Each ADC 273 may convert an input analog signal into a digital signal. According to an embodiment, the number of ADCs 273 may be equal to the number of first electrode members 120, so that ADCs 273 may correspond one to one with first electrode members 120. Alternatively, in an embodiment, two or more first electrode members 120 may be configured to share a single ADC 273. In this case, a switch circuit (not shown) for selecting a sensing channel of a shared first electrode member may also be provided.

[0237] The processor 275 can process the conversion signal (digital signal) received from each ADC 273, and detect the touch input based on the signal processing result. For example, the processor 275 can comprehensively analyze the first sensing signal amplified by each amplifier 271 and converted by each ADC 273 to detect the occurrence of the touch input and the position of the touch input. According to an embodiment, the processor 275 can be implemented as a microprocessor (MPU). In this case, the memory required to drive the processor 275 can be additionally provided in the touch detector 270. However, the configuration of the processor 275 is not limited to this example. In another example, the processor 275 can be implemented as a microcontroller (MCU).

[0238] The touch controller 200 may further include an amplifying circuit 230 connected between the second input terminal 2713 of the sensing channel SC and the first conductive member 150. According to an embodiment, the amplifying circuit 230 may include at least one amplifier 231. According to an embodiment, the amplifier 231 may include a first input terminal 2311 and a second input terminal 2313, the first input terminal 2311 being commonly connected to the first conductive member 150 through the fourth wiring 907, and the second input terminal 2313 being connected to the output terminal 2315 via at least one resistor Ra. According to an embodiment, the first input terminal 2311 and the second input terminal 2313 may be an inverting input terminal and a non-inverting input terminal, respectively. For reference, Fig. 22 The resistors Ra and Rb in correspond to the input impedance and output impedance of the amplifier 231.

[0239] The amplification circuit 230 may receive the noise sensing signal Ns from the first conductive member 150 via the fourth wiring 907, may amplify the noise sensing signal Ns with the gain value of the amplifier 231, and output the amplified noise signals to the sensing channels SC, respectively. Here, the amplitude of the noise sensing signal Ns to be input to the sensing channel SC may be easily adjusted by adjusting the gain value of the amplification circuit 230. In some embodiments, the gain value of the amplification circuit 230 may be adjusted so that the noise component included in the sensing signal Rs output from the first electrode member 120 may be effectively eliminated in the sensing channel SC.

[0240] In some embodiments, the amplification circuit 230 may receive the noise sensing signal Ns from the first conductive member 150 during the first period T1 according to the operation of the switch circuit 250 , and may not receive the noise sensing signal Ns from the first conductive member 150 during the second period T2 .

[0241] According to an embodiment, the amplification circuit 230 may further include a plurality of variable resistors VR1 to VR4 connected in parallel to each other between the output terminal 2315 of the amplifier 231 and a predetermined reference power supply GND such as a ground power supply. For example, the amplification circuit 230 may include a plurality of variable resistors VR1 to VR4 corresponding to the number of sensing channels SC.

[0242] According to an embodiment, the sensing channels SC may be respectively connected to different variable resistors VR1 to VR4 provided in the amplification circuit 230. For example, Fig. 22 The second input terminal 2713 of the first sensing channel SC at the top of the circuit can be connected to the first variable resistor VR1, and the second input terminal 2713 of the second sensing channel SC can be connected to the second variable resistor VR2. In addition, the second input terminal 2713 of the third sensing channel SC can be connected to the third variable resistor VR3, and the second input terminal 2713 of the fourth sensing channel SC can be connected to the fourth variable resistor VR4.

[0243] According to the above-described embodiment, the gain value of the noise sensing signal Ns input to the second input terminal 2713 of the sensing channel SC can be independently adjusted according to the size of the noise component included in the sensing signal Rs input to the sensing channel SC. For example, the gain value of the noise sensing signal Ns input to the sensing channel SC connected to the first electrode member 120 can be applied differently according to the position of the first electrode member 120. Fig. 22In the case where the electrode row at the top of the sensing portion 100 is referred to as the first electrode row, and the electrode row at the bottom is referred to as the last electrode row), the size of the noise sensing signal Ns input to the sensing portion 100 may vary from the first electrode row toward the last electrode row. For example, when the size of the noise sensing signal Ns input to the sensing portion 100 gradually decreases from the first electrode row toward the last electrode row in the sensing area SA, the gain value of the noise sensing signal Ns may gradually decrease from the first sensing channel SC connected to the first sensing electrode member 120 of the first electrode row toward the last sensing channel SC connected to the first electrode member 120 of the last electrode row. Therefore, the gain value of the noise sensing signal Ns may be independently adjusted according to the vertical position (e.g., y coordinate) of the first electrode member 120 in the sensing portion 100 to more effectively eliminate the noise component included in the sensing signal Rs.

[0244] In addition, according to the above-described embodiment, during the period in which the second electrode members 130 are sequentially driven, by adjusting the resistance values ​​of the variable resistors VR1 to VR4 in units of sub-periods during which each second electrode member 130 is driven, the gain value of the noise sensing signal Ns can also be independently adjusted in units of sub-periods. Therefore, the difference in the magnitude of the noise between the horizontal positions (e.g., the x-coordinate) in the sensing portion 100 can be compensated. Therefore, according to the above-described embodiment, the noise component included in the sensing signal Rs can be eliminated more accurately and effectively.

[0245] The switch circuit 250 may be connected to the first conductive member 150, the amplification circuit 230, and the proximity detector 290. The switch circuit 250 may include a switch 251 and a switch controller 253.

[0246] The switch 251 may connect the first conductive member 150 to the amplification circuit 230 or the proximity detector 290. The switch controller 253 may control the operation of the switch 251 according to the operation mode.

[0247] In some embodiments, the switch 251 may be controlled by the switch controller 253 to connect the first conductive member 150 to the amplification circuit 230 during the first period T1. As described above, the first period T1 may be a period during which the touch detector 270 detects a touch input based on a change in mutual capacitance between each first electrode member 120 and each second electrode member 130. The noise sensing signal Ns output from the first conductive member 150 during the first period T1 may be provided to the touch detector 270 via the switch 251 and the amplification circuit 230. The touch detector 270 may detect a touch position based on the sensing signal Rs received from the first electrode member 120 and the noise sensing signal Ns received from the first conductive member 150.

[0248] In addition, the switch 251 may be controlled by the switch controller 253 to connect the first conductive member 150 to the proximity detector 290 during the second period T2. As described above, the second period T2 may be a period during which the proximity detector 290 detects the approach of an object based on a change in the self-capacitance of each first conductive member 150. The proximity sensing signal Ps output from each first conductive member 150 during the second period T2 may be provided to the proximity detector 290 via the switch 251. The proximity detector 290 may detect the approach of an object based on the proximity sensing signal Ps received from each first conductive member 150.

[0249] In some embodiments, the switch circuit 250 may be implemented in software, firmware, or hardware.

[0250] The proximity detector 290 may be connected to the first conductive member 150 via the switch circuit 250 during the second period T2. The proximity detector 290 may receive a proximity sensing signal Ps from each first conductive member 150 during the second period T2 and detect proximity of an object based on the proximity sensing signal Ps.

[0251] In some embodiments, the proximity detector 290 includes a switch 291 , a driving power source Vpo, an amplifier 293 operating as a comparator, a comparison power source Vcp connected to the amplifier 293 , and a processor 295 .

[0252] The switch 291 may switch the connection between the first conductive member 150 and the first node N1 and the connection between the first conductive member 150 and the third node N3. Here, the first node N1 is connected to the first input terminal 2931 of the amplifier 293, and the third node N3 is connected to the driving power source Vpo.

[0253] The driving power source Vpo may provide a driving voltage for proximity detection to the first conductive member 150. One end of the driving power source Vpo may be connected to the second node N2 to which the reference power source GND is provided, and the other end of the driving power source Vpo may be connected to the third node N3.

[0254] The comparison power supply Vcp may provide a threshold voltage to the amplifier 293 to determine whether an object approaches. One end of the comparison power supply Vcp may be connected to the second node N2 to which the reference power supply GND is provided, and the other end of the comparison power supply Vcp may be connected to the second input terminal 2933 of the amplifier 293.

[0255] The amplifier 293 may include a first input terminal 2931, a second input terminal 2933, and an output terminal 2935. According to an embodiment, the first input terminal 2931 (e.g., a non-inverting input terminal of an OP amp) of the amplifier 293 may be connected to a first node N1 connected to the first conductive member 150 via the switch 291, and the proximity sensing signal Ps may be input to the first input terminal 2931.

[0256] In some embodiments, the second input terminal 2933 of the amplifier 293 (e.g., the inverting input terminal of the OP amp) can be connected to the comparison power supply Vcp. Therefore, according to the magnitude relationship between the proximity sensing signal Ps and the comparison power supply Vcp, a high signal or a low signal can be output from the output terminal 2935 of the amplifier 293.

[0257] The processor 295 may process the signal output from the amplifier 293 and detect the approach of the object according to the signal processing result. According to an embodiment, the processor 295 may be implemented as an MPU.

[0258] During the second period T2, the switch 291 of the proximity detector 290 may be connected to the third node N3. Therefore, the driving voltage provided by the driving power supply Vpo may be provided to each first conductive member 150 via the switch 291, and a self-capacitance may be formed in each first conductive member 150. After the driving voltage is applied to each first conductive member 150, the switch 291 may be connected to the first node N1. Therefore, the proximity sensing signal Ps output from each first conductive member 150 may be provided to the first input terminal 2931 of the amplifier 293. The proximity sensing signal Ps may include a signal indicating a change in the self-capacitance of the first conductive member 150 that occurs when an object approaches the first conductive member 150. Therefore, the proximity detector 290 may detect the approach of an object by comparing the threshold voltage of the comparison power supply Vcp with the proximity sensing signal Ps.

[0259] In some embodiments, the proximity detector 290 may further include a capacitor Cr and a reset switch SWr connected in parallel to each other between the first node N1 and the second node N2.

[0260] Note that the above-described structure of the proximity detector 290 is merely an example, and the present disclosure is not limited to this structure. The components of the proximity detector 290 may also be variously changed.

[0261] The touch sensor TSM according to the above embodiment can effectively eliminate the noise signal introduced from, for example, the display panel 300 and can improve the signal-to-noise ratio (SNR). Therefore, the touch sensor TSM can stably detect the touch input by effectively eliminating the noise signal, and the sensing sensitivity of the touch sensor TSM can be improved.

[0262] In addition, since the touch sensor TSM according to the above-described embodiment can detect the approach of an object, the structure of the display device 1 can be simplified, and there is no need to form a hole for attaching an optical proximity sensor. In some embodiments, the display device 1 can be preprogrammed to perform an operation according to the approach of an object sensed by the touch sensor TSM. For example, the display device 1 can perform preprogrammed features such as screen locking, screen off operation, stopping the touch sensing operation of the touch sensor, application calling, or call reception.

[0263] Fig.23 is a block diagram of a touch sensor TSM-1 according to an embodiment.

[0264] Reference Fig.23 , the touch sensor TSM-1 according to the current embodiment includes a touch controller 200-1 and a sensing part 100-1.

[0265] The touch controller 200 - 1 may include a touch driver 210 , a touch detector 270 , a proximity detector 290 , and an amplification circuit 230 .

[0266] The present embodiment is similar to the present invention except that the touch controller 200-1 of the touch sensor TSM-1 does not include a switch circuit and the sensing portion 100-1 includes a second conductive member 180. Figure 2 The embodiments of the present invention are substantially the same or similar. Therefore, redundant descriptions will be omitted, and the differences will be mainly described below.

[0267] The noise sensing signal Ns output from the first conductive member 150 may be provided to the touch detector 270 via the amplification circuit 230 .

[0268] The second conductive member 180 may be connected to the proximity detector 290. The second conductive member 180 may provide a proximity sensing signal Ps to the proximity detector 290, and the proximity detector 290 may detect the proximity of an object based on the proximity sensing signal Ps received from the second conductive member 180.

[0269] Fig.24 Shows Fig.23 1 is a plan view of a touch sensor TSM-1, a sensing portion 100-1 of the touch sensor TSM-1, and a connection relationship between the sensing portion 100-1 and a touch controller 200-1. Fig.25 yes Fig.24 An enlarged plan view of part Qb. Fig.26 Shows Fig.25 1 is an exemplary structure of a first layer L1 - 1 of a sensing portion 100 - 1 . Fig. 27 Shows Fig.25 1 is an exemplary structure of the second layer L2 - 1 of the sensing portion 100 - 1 . Fig.28 is along Fig.25 A cross-sectional view taken along line X4-X4'.

[0270] Reference Figure 24 to Figure 28 ,and Figures 3 to 10 Compared to the embodiment of FIG. 1 , the sensing portion 100 - 1 may further include a plurality of second conductive members 180 , and may not include a conductor.

[0271] Each second conductive member 180 may be located in an electrode row formed by the second electrodes 131 adjacent to each other along the first direction x. In some embodiments, the second conductive member 180 may be located in each electrode row formed by the second electrodes 131. Although the number of rows formed by the second electrodes 131 is Fig.24 5 in the figure, but the present disclosure is not limited to this case.

[0272] Each second conductive member 180 may output the proximity sensing signal Ps as described above.

[0273] Each of the second conductive members 180 may include a second conductive pattern 181 and a second connection line 183 .

[0274] The second conductive pattern 181 may be located within the second opening OP2 of the second electrode 131 and may be spaced apart from the second electrode 131. Fig.26 As shown in the figure, the second conductive pattern 181 can be located in the same first layer L1-1 as the first electrode 121, the second electrode 131, the second connection portion 133 and the first conductive pattern 151, and can be made of the same material as one of the first electrode 121, the second electrode 131, the second connection portion 133 and the first conductive pattern 151.

[0275] In some embodiments, when the second electrode 131 has a grid structure, the second conductive pattern 181 may also have a grid structure. For example, the grid structure of the second conductive pattern 181 may be the same as Figure 7 The structures shown in are basically the same or similar.

[0276] Each second connection line 183 can electrically connect the second conductive patterns 181 that are located in the same row and are adjacent to each other along the first direction x. Fig. 27As shown in , the second connection line 183 may be located in the same second layer L2 - 1 as the first connection portion 123 and the first connection line 153 , and may be made of the same material as one of the first connection portion 123 and the first connection line 153 .

[0277] In some embodiments, the second conductive pattern 181 and the second connection line 183 may be connected to each other through a fourth contact hole CH4 formed in the insulating layer IL.

[0278] In addition to the first wiring 901 , the second wiring 903 , the third wiring 905 , and the fourth wiring 907 , one or more fifth wirings 909 connected to the second conductive member 180 may be further provided in the peripheral area NSA of the base layer 110 .

[0279] In some embodiments, unlike the first wiring 901, the second wiring 903, and the third wiring 905, only a single fifth wiring 909 may be provided. In addition, the single fifth wiring 909 may be connected to all the second conductive members 180. Therefore, the number of channels or pads allocated to the second conductive members 180 may be reduced, and the area occupied by the fifth wiring 909 in the peripheral area NSA may be reduced. In other embodiments, two or more fifth wirings 909 may also be provided.

[0280] In some embodiments, one or more fifth wirings 909 may be connected to the second pad portion TP2 .

[0281] In the touch sensor TSM-1 according to the above-described embodiment, each first conductive member 150 outputs a noise sensing signal Ns, and each second conductive member 180 outputs a proximity sensing signal Ps. Therefore, while the touch detector 270 of the touch controller 200-1 performs a touch input detection operation, the proximity detector 290 of the touch controller 200-1 can detect the approach of an object. That is, the touch controller 200-1 can independently perform a touch detection operation and a proximity detection operation without being driven in a time-division manner, and can simultaneously perform both a touch detection operation and a proximity detection operation. However, the present disclosure is not limited to this case. In some embodiments, the touch controller 200-1 can be driven in a time-division manner to perform a touch detection operation and a proximity detection operation in different time periods.

[0282] In some embodiments, the structure of the touch sensor TSM-1, specifically, the position of the first conductive pattern 151 , the position of the first connection line 153 , the position of the second conductive pattern 181 , and the position of the second connection line 183 may be variously changed.

[0283] Fig.29 Shown according to Fig.26 An exemplary structure of the first layer L1-1a of the modified example. Fig.30 Shown according to Fig. 27 An exemplary structure of the second layer L2-1a of the modified example. Fig.31 It is shown Fig.28 A sectional view of a modified example of .

[0284] Reference Figure 29 to Figure 31 ,and Figure 26 to Figure 28 In contrast, the first conductive member 150 a may include a first lower conductive pattern 151 a and a first connection line 153 , and the second conductive member 180 a may include a second lower conductive pattern 181 a and a second connection line 183 .

[0285] The first conductive member 150a is similar to the above-mentioned Figures 11 to 14 The first conductive member 150a described is the same, and thus its description is omitted.

[0286] The second lower conductive pattern 181a may be located in a different layer from the first electrode 121 and the second electrode 131. For example, the first electrode 121 and the second electrode 131 may be located in the first layer L1-1a. In addition, the second lower conductive pattern 181a may be located in the same second layer L2-1a as the first connection portion 123, the first connection line 153, and the second connection line 183, and may be made of the same material as one of the first connection portion 123, the first connection line 153, and the second connection line 183. The second lower conductive pattern 181a may be connected to the second connection line 183 in the second layer L2-1a.

[0287] In the present modified example, since the second lower conductive pattern 181a and the second connection line 183 are located in the same second layer L2-1a, the Fig.25 , Fig. 27 and Fig.28 The contact hole CH4 is shown in FIG.

[0288] Fig.32 Shown according to Fig.26 An exemplary structure of the first layer L1-1b of the modified example. Fig.33 Shown according to Fig. 27 An exemplary structure of the second layer L2-1b of the modified example. Fig.34 It is shown Fig.28 A sectional view of a modified example of .

[0289] Reference Figure 32 to Figure 34 ,and Figure 26 to Figure 28 In contrast, each of the second conductive members 180 b may include a second conductive pattern 181 , a second connection line 183 , and a second lower conductive pattern 181 a .

[0290] The second conductive pattern 181 may be located in the same first layer L1-1b as the first electrode 121, the second electrode 131, and the first conductive pattern 151. In addition, the second lower conductive pattern 181a and the second connection line 183 may be located in the same second layer L2-1b as the first connection portion 123, the first lower conductive pattern 151a, and the first connection line 153, and may be made of the same material as one of the first connection portion 123, the first lower conductive pattern 151a, and the first connection line 153. The second lower conductive pattern 181a may be connected to the second connection line 183 in the second layer L2-1b.

[0291] In some embodiments, the second lower conductive pattern 181 a and the second conductive pattern 181 may be connected to each other through a fifth contact hole CH5 formed in the insulating layer IL.

[0292] The first conductive pattern 151, the first lower conductive pattern 151a and the first connecting line 153 are similar to those described above. Figures 5 to 18 The described first conductive pattern 151 , the first lower conductive pattern 151 a , and the first connection line 153 are the same, and thus their detailed descriptions are omitted.

[0293] Fig.35 is a diagram for explaining a touch position detection operation of the touch sensor TSM-1 according to the embodiment. Fig.36 The connection relationship between the sensing part 100 - 1 and the touch controller 200 - 1 according to the embodiment is specifically shown.

[0294] Reference Fig.35 and Fig.36 ,and Fig.21A and Fig. 22 Compared to the embodiment of FIG. 1 , the touch controller 200 - 1 may operate without distinguishing between the first period and the second period.

[0295] A noise sensing signal Ns may be output from each first conductive member 150, and a proximity sensing signal Ps may be output from each second conductive member 180 separated from the first conductive member 150. That is, the sensing portion 100-1 may output the noise sensing signal Ns and the proximity sensing signal Ps simultaneously. Therefore, the touch detector 270 may detect a touch input / touch position based on the noise sensing signal Ns and the sensing signal Rs including a signal indicating a change in mutual capacitance. In addition, the proximity detector 290 may provide a driving voltage for proximity detection (or a driving voltage for forming self-capacitance) to each second conductive member 180, and detect the proximity of an object by receiving a proximity sensing signal Ps including a signal indicating a change in self-capacitance from each second conductive member 180. That is, the touch controller 200-1 may perform both touch sensing operations and proximity sensing operations simultaneously and independently.

[0296] However, the operation of the touch controller 200 - 1 is not limited to the above operation, and the touch controller 200 - 1 may also separately perform a touch sensing operation and a proximity sensing operation.

[0297] Fig.37 is a diagram for explaining a touch position detection operation of the touch sensor TSM-2 according to the embodiment. Fig.38 The connection relationship between the sensing part 100 - 1 and the touch controller 200 - 2 according to the embodiment is specifically shown.

[0298] Reference Fig.37 and Fig.38 , the touch sensor TSM-2 includes a touch controller 200 - 2 and a sensing part 100 - 1 .

[0299] The structure of the sensing part 100-1 is similar to that of the above reference Figures 24 to 36 The structure described is the same, so its description is omitted.

[0300] The present embodiment is similar to the present embodiment except that the touch controller 200-2 includes the amplification circuit 230-1 and the amplification circuit 230-1 is connected to the proximity detector 290. Fig.35 and Fig.36 The embodiments are basically the same or similar.

[0301] Therefore, redundant description will be omitted.

[0302] The amplification circuit 230-1 may include a plurality of variable resistors corresponding to the number of sensing channels SC, for example, a first variable resistor VR1, a second variable resistor VR2, a third variable resistor VR3, a fourth variable resistor VR4, and a fifth variable resistor VR5 connected to the proximity detector 290. The fifth variable resistor VR5 may be connected between the output terminal 2315 of the amplifier 231 and a predetermined reference power supply GND such as a ground power supply, and may be connected in parallel with the first variable resistor VR1, the second variable resistor VR2, the third variable resistor VR3, and the fourth variable resistor VR4.

[0303] According to an embodiment, Fig.35 and Fig.36 Compared to the embodiment of FIG. 2 , the second node N2 of the proximity detector 290 may be connected to the fifth variable resistor VR5 of the amplification circuit 230 - 1 .

[0304] According to the current embodiment, the proximity detector 290 may receive the noise sensing signal Ns from each first conductive member 150 via the amplification circuit 230-1. Therefore, the reference voltage of the proximity detector 290 may vary according to the voltage variation of each first conductive member 150. Therefore, the noise component included in the proximity sensing signal Ps may be effectively removed, resulting in improved proximity detection accuracy.

[0305] Fig.39 is a diagram for explaining a touch position detection operation of the touch sensor TSM-3 according to the embodiment. Fig.40 The connection relationship between the sensing part 100 - 1 and the touch controller 200 - 3 according to the embodiment is specifically shown.

[0306] Reference Fig.39 and Fig.40 , the touch sensor TSM-3 includes a touch controller 200 - 3 and a sensing part 100 - 1 .

[0307] The structure of the sensing part 100-1 is similar to that of the above reference Figures 24 to 36 The structure described is the same, so its description is omitted.

[0308] The touch controller 200-3 includes a proximity detector 290-1 and an amplifying circuit 230-1, and the proximity detector 290-1 and the amplifying circuit 230-1 are different from Fig.35 and Fig.36 The proximity detector 290 and the amplification circuit 230 of an embodiment.

[0309] Amplifier circuit 230-1 and Fig.37 and Fig.38 The amplifying circuit 230 - 1 of the embodiment is substantially the same as that of the embodiment, and thus its description is omitted.

[0310] The proximity detector 290-1 may receive a proximity sensing signal Ps1 from each second conductive member 180 through the fifth wiring 909. The proximity sensing signal Ps1 may include a signal indicating a change in mutual capacitance between the second electrode member 130 and the second conductive member 180. When the driving signal Ts is provided to the second electrode member 130, mutual capacitance is formed between each second electrode member 130 and each second conductive member 180. When a proximity event such as the approach of an object occurs, the mutual capacitance between the second electrode member 130 and the second conductive member 180 may be changed. Each second conductive member 180 may output a proximity sensing signal Ps1 corresponding to the driving signal Ts, and the proximity sensing signal Ps1 output from each second conductive member 180 may be input to the proximity detector 290-1.

[0311] The proximity detector 290 - 1 may include a proximity sensing channel SCP, at least one ADC 294 connected to the proximity sensing channel SCP, and a processor 296 .

[0312] The proximity sensing channel SCP may receive a proximity sensing signal Ps1 from each second conductive member 180, amplify the received proximity sensing signal Ps1, and output the amplified proximity sensing signal. In some embodiments, the proximity sensing channel SCP may include an analog front end including at least one amplifier 292 such as an OP amp. In some embodiments, the proximity sensing channel SCP may have substantially the same structure as the sensing channel SC of the touch detector 270.

[0313] The amplifier 292 may include a first input terminal 2921, a second input terminal 2923, and an output terminal 2925. According to an embodiment, the first input terminal 2921 (e.g., an inverting input terminal of the OP amplifier) ​​of the amplifier 292 may be electrically connected to the second conductive member 180 through the fifth wiring 909, and the proximity sensing signal Ps1 may be input to the first input terminal 2921.

[0314] The second input terminal 2923 of the amplifier 292 (e.g., the non-inverting input terminal of the OP amp) may be electrically connected to the amplification circuit 230-1, and the noise sensing signal Ns output from each first conductive member 150 may be provided to the second input terminal 2923 of the amplifier 292 via the amplification circuit 230-1. Therefore, the reference voltage of the amplifier 271 may be changed according to the voltage change of the first conductive member 150, respectively. That is, the reference potential of the amplifier 271 may be changed according to the potential (voltage level) of the first conductive member 150, respectively.

[0315] In some embodiments, the proximity sensing channel SCP may further include a capacitor Cr1 and a reset switch SWr1 connected in parallel to each other between the first input terminal 2921 and the output terminal 2925 of the amplifier 292 .

[0316] In the above example, the amplifier 292 is implemented as an inverting amplifier. However, in an embodiment, the amplifier 292 may also be implemented as a non-inverting amplifier.

[0317] The output terminal 2925 of the amplifier 292 may be electrically connected to the ADC 294, and the processor 296 may process the conversion signal (digital signal) received from the ADC 294 and detect the approach of the object based on the signal processing result. In some embodiments, the processor 296 may be implemented as an MPU.

[0318] According to the current embodiment, since the proximity sensing signal Ps1 includes a signal indicating a change in mutual capacitance between each second conductive member 180 and each second electrode member 130 , the touch controller 200 - 3 may simultaneously perform a touch sensing operation and a proximity sensing operation.

[0319] Fig.41 is a block diagram of a touch sensor TSM-4 according to an embodiment. Fig.42 Shows Fig.41 2 is a plan view of a touch sensor TSM-4, a sensing portion 100-2 of the touch sensor TSM-4, and a connection relationship between the sensing portion 100-2 and a touch controller 200-1. Fig.43 yes Fig.42 An enlarged plan view of part Qc. Fig.44 Shows Fig.43 1-2 is an exemplary structure of a first layer L1-2 of a sensing portion 100-2. Fig.45 Shows Fig.43 100 - 2 exemplarily illustrates a structure of a second layer L2 - 2 of a sensing portion 100 - 2 . Fig.46 Shows Fig.43 100 - 2 , and an exemplary structure of the third layer L3 - 2 of the sensing portion 100 - 2 . Fig.47 is along Fig.43 A cross-sectional view taken along line X5-X5'.

[0320] Reference Figure 41 to Figure 47 , the touch sensor TSM-4 according to the current embodiment includes a touch controller 200 - 1 and a sensing part 100 - 2 .

[0321] Touch controller 200-1 and Fig.23 , Fig.35 and Fig.36 The touch controller 200 - 1 of the embodiment is the same as that of the touch controller 200 - 1 of the embodiment, so its description is omitted.

[0322] The sensing portion 100-2 is similar to the above-referenced embodiment except that it includes a second conductive member 180-1 having a different structure from the conductive member 180 of the sensing portion 100-1. Figures 24 to 36 The sensing portion 100-1 described is substantially the same. Therefore, the differences will be mainly described below.

[0323] Each of the second conductive members 180 - 1 may include a second conductive pattern 181 , a second connection line 183 , and a third connection line 185 .

[0324] The second conductive pattern 181 may be located within the second opening OP2 of the second electrode 131 and may be spaced apart from the second electrode 131. Fig.44As shown in the figure, the second conductive pattern 181 can be located in the same first layer L1-2 as the first electrode 121, the second electrode 131, the second connecting portion 133 and the first conductive pattern 151, and can be made of the same material as one of the first electrode 121, the second electrode 131, the second connecting portion 133 and the first conductive pattern 151.

[0325] Each second connection line 183 can electrically connect the second conductive patterns 181 that are located in the same electrode row and are adjacent to each other along the first direction x. Fig.45 As shown in FIG. 1 , the second connection line 183 may be located in the same second layer L2-2 as the first connection portion 123 and the first connection line 153, and may be made of the same material as one of the first connection portion 123 and the first connection line 153. The second conductive pattern 181 and the second connection line 183 may be connected to each other through a fourth contact hole CH4 formed in the insulating layer IL.

[0326] Each third connection line 185 can electrically connect the second conductive patterns 181 adjacent to each other along the second direction y. Fig.46 As shown in FIG. 1 , the third connection line 185 may be located in a third layer L3 - 2 different from the first layer L1 - 2 and the second layer L2 - 2 .

[0327] The third connection lines 185 may include a conductive material. In some embodiments, each of the third connection lines 185 may have a single-layer structure or a multi-layer structure.

[0328] In some embodiments, the upper insulating layer UIL may also be located between the first layer L1-2 and the third layer L3-2, for example, between the first electrode 121 and the third connection line 185 and between the second electrode 131 and the third connection line 185, and the third connection line 185 may be located on the upper insulating layer UIL. In some embodiments, the third connection line 185 may be connected to the second conductive pattern 181 through a sixth contact hole CH6 formed in the upper insulating layer UIL.

[0329] In some embodiments, Fig.47 As shown in FIG, the upper insulating layer UIL may be completely disposed over the base layer 110. Alternatively, in an embodiment, the upper insulating layer UIL may be partially disposed over the base layer 110, for example, in the form of an island pattern.

[0330] In some embodiments, the upper insulating layer UIL may include at least one of the insulating materials described above in the description of the insulating layer IL.

[0331] In some embodiments, the structure of the touch sensor TSM-4, specifically, the position of the first conductive pattern 151 , the position of the first connection line 153 , the position of the second conductive pattern 181 , and the position of the second connection line 183 may be variously changed.

[0332] Fig.48 Shown according to Fig.44 An exemplary structure of the first layer L1-2a of the modified example. Fig.49 Shown according to Fig.45 An exemplary structure of the second layer L2-2a of the modified example. Fig.50 Shown according to Fig.46 An exemplary structure of the third layer L3-2a of the modified example. Fig.51 It is shown Fig.47 A sectional view of a modified example of .

[0333] Reference Figures 48 to 51 , the first electrode 121, the second electrode 131, and the second connection portion 133 may be located in the first layer L1-2a, and the first connection portion 123, the first lower conductive pattern 151a, the first connection line 153, the second lower conductive pattern 181a, and the second connection line 183 may be located in the second layer L2-2a. In addition, the third connection line 185 may be located in the third layer L3-2a, and may be connected to the second lower conductive pattern 181a through the seventh contact hole CH7 formed in the insulating layer IL and the upper insulating layer UIL.

[0334] The first lower conductive pattern 151a, the first connecting line 153, the second lower conductive pattern 181a and the second connecting line 183 are the same as those described above. Figure 29 to Figure 31 The described first lower conductive pattern 151 a , the first connection line 153 , the second lower conductive pattern 181 a , and the second connection line 183 are the same, and thus their descriptions are omitted.

[0335] Fig.52 Shown according to Fig.44 An exemplary structure of the first layer L1-2b of the modified example. Fig.53 Shown according to Fig.45 An exemplary structure of the second layer L2-2b of the modified example. Fig.54 Shown according to Fig.46 An exemplary structure of the third layer L3-2b of the modified example. Fig.55 It is shown Fig.47 A sectional view of a modified example of .

[0336] Reference Figure 52 to Figure 55, the second conductive pattern 181 may be located in the same first layer L1-2b as the first electrode 121, the second electrode 131, and the first conductive pattern 151. In addition, the second lower conductive pattern 181a and the second connection line 183 may be located in the same second layer L2-2b as the first connection portion 123, the first lower conductive pattern 151a, and the first connection line 153, and may be made of the same material as one of the first connection portion 123, the first lower conductive pattern 151a, and the first connection line 153. The second lower conductive pattern 181a may be connected to the second connection line 183 in the second layer L2-2b.

[0337] In some embodiments, the second lower conductive pattern 181 a and the second conductive pattern 181 may be connected to each other through a fifth contact hole CH5 formed in the insulating layer IL.

[0338] The third connection line 185 may be located in the third layer L3 - 2 b and may be connected to the second conductive pattern 181 through a sixth contact hole CH6 formed in the upper insulating layer UIL.

[0339] Fig.56 is a diagram for explaining a touch position detection operation of the touch sensor TSM-4 according to the embodiment. Fig.57 The connection relationship between the sensing part 100 - 2 and the touch controller 200 - 1 according to the embodiment is specifically shown.

[0340] Reference Fig.56 and Fig.57 , the touch detector 270 may detect a touch input / touch position by receiving a sensing signal Rs from each first electrode member 120 and a noise sensing signal Ns from each first conductive member 150 or the amplification circuit 230 .

[0341] In addition, the proximity detector 290 may detect the approach of an object by receiving a proximity sensing signal Ps from each second conductive member 180 - 1 , and the proximity sensing signal Ps may include a signal indicating a change in self-capacitance of the second conductive member 180 - 1 .

[0342] The other components of the touch controller 200-1 are Fig.35 and Fig.36 The other components of the touch controller 200 - 1 of the embodiment are the same, so their description is omitted.

[0343] Fig.58 is a diagram for explaining a touch position detection operation of the touch sensor TSM-5 according to the embodiment. Fig.59 The connection relationship between the sensing part 100 - 2 and the touch controller 200 - 2 according to the embodiment is specifically shown.

[0344] Reference Fig.58 and Fig.59 , the touch detector 270 may detect a touch input / touch position by receiving a sensing signal Rs from each first electrode member 120 and a noise sensing signal Ns from each first conductive member 150 or the amplification circuit 230 - 1 .

[0345] In addition, the proximity detector 290 can detect the approach of an object by receiving a proximity sensing signal Ps from each second conductive member 180-1 and a noise sensing signal Ns from each first conductive member 150 or the amplification circuit 230-1. The proximity sensing signal Ps may include a signal indicating a change in self-capacitance of the second conductive member 180-1 as described above.

[0346] The other components of the touch controller 200-2 are Fig.37 and Fig.38 The other components of the touch controller 200 - 2 of the embodiment are the same, so their description is omitted.

[0347] Fig.60 is a diagram for explaining a touch position detection operation of the touch sensor TSM-6 according to the embodiment. Fig.61 The connection relationship between the sensing part 100 - 2 and the touch controller 200 - 3 according to the embodiment is specifically shown.

[0348] Reference Fig.60 and Fig.61 , the touch detector 270 may detect a touch input / touch position by receiving a sensing signal Rs from each first electrode member 120 and a noise sensing signal Ns from each first conductive member 150 or the amplification circuit 230 - 1 .

[0349] In addition, the proximity detector 290-1 can detect the approach of an object by receiving a proximity sensing signal Ps1 from each second conductive member 180-1 and a noise sensing signal Ns from each first conductive member 150 or the amplification circuit 230-1. The proximity sensing signal Ps1 may include a signal indicating a change in mutual capacitance between the second electrode member 130 and the second conductive member 180-1 as described above.

[0350] The other components of the touch controller 200-3 are Fig.39 and Fig.40 The other components of the touch controller 200 - 3 of the embodiment are the same, so their description is omitted.

[0351] In the touch sensor and the display device including the touch sensor according to any of the above-mentioned embodiments, the touch sensor can detect the approach of an object, so an additional proximity sensor can be omitted. In addition, since the conductive member is formed in the process of manufacturing the touch electrode and the connecting portion, the thickness of the touch sensor may not be increased.

[0352] In addition, since the touch sensor can eliminate noise introduced from, for example, a display panel, touch sensing sensitivity and proximity sensing sensitivity of the touch sensor can be improved.

[0353] According to the aforementioned embodiments, a touch sensor capable of sensing not only the position of a touch input but also the proximity of an object and a display device including the touch sensor can be provided.

[0354] However, the effects of the exemplary embodiments described herein are not limited to the one effect set forth herein. The above and other effects of the embodiments will become more apparent to those of ordinary skill in the art to which the embodiments pertain by referring to the claims.

Claims

1. A touch sensor, comprising: Base layer; a plurality of first electrode members, each comprising a plurality of first electrodes arranged on the base layer along a first direction and electrically connected to each other along the first direction, each of the plurality of first electrodes comprising a first opening, wherein the plurality of first electrode members are spaced apart from each other along a second direction intersecting the first direction; a plurality of second electrode members, each comprising a plurality of second electrodes arranged on the base layer along the second direction and electrically connected to each other along the second direction, each of the plurality of second electrodes comprising a second opening, wherein the plurality of second electrode members are spaced apart from each other along the first direction; a plurality of first conductive members, each comprising a plurality of first conductive patterns electrically connected to each other along the first direction, wherein the plurality of first conductive members are spaced apart from each other along the second direction; a plurality of second conductive members spaced apart from the first conductive member, each second conductive member comprising a plurality of second conductive patterns electrically connected to each other along the first direction, wherein the plurality of second conductive members are spaced apart from each other along the second direction; a proximity detector electrically connected to the second conductive member and configured to detect proximity of an object by receiving a proximity sensing signal from the second conductive member; a touch driver electrically connected to the second electrode member and configured to provide a touch driving signal to the second electrode member; and a touch detector electrically connected to the first electrode member and configured to receive a touch sensing signal from the first electrode member, wherein, for each of the first conductive members and a corresponding first electrode member of the plurality of first electrode members, each of the plurality of first conductive patterns of the first conductive member is located in the first opening of a corresponding first electrode of the plurality of first electrodes of the first electrode member and is spaced apart from each of the plurality of first electrodes of the first electrode member, wherein, for each of the plurality of second conductive members and a corresponding second electrode member of the plurality of second electrode members, each of the plurality of second conductive patterns of the second conductive member is located in the second opening of a corresponding second electrode of the plurality of second electrodes of the second electrode member and is spaced apart from each of the plurality of second electrodes of the second electrode member, and in: The first conductive member is electrically connected to the proximity detector, and the proximity detector is configured to receive a noise sensing signal from the first conductive member and eliminate noise included in the proximity sensing signal based on the noise sensing signal, and / or The first conductive member is electrically connected to the touch detector, and the touch detector is configured to receive a noise sensing signal from the first conductive member and to remove noise included in the touch sensing signal based on the noise sensing signal.

2. The touch sensor according to claim 1, wherein: The first conductive member is electrically connected to the touch detector, and the touch detector is configured to receive the noise sensing signal from the second conductive member and eliminate the noise included in the touch sensing signal based on the noise sensing signal, and The touch sensor further comprises an amplifying circuit connected between the touch detector and the first conductive member, wherein the amplifying circuit is also connected to the proximity detector.

3. The touch sensor according to claim 1, wherein: The proximity sensing signal includes a signal indicative of a change in self-capacitance of the second conductive member.

4. The touch sensor according to claim 1, wherein: The proximity sensing signal includes a signal indicative of a change in mutual capacitance between the second conductive member and the second electrode member.

5. The touch sensor according to claim 1, wherein: The plurality of first conductive patterns and the plurality of second conductive patterns are located in a same layer.

6. The touch sensor according to claim 1, wherein: Each first electrode member also includes a first connection portion, which connects two first electrodes adjacent to each other along the first direction among the plurality of first electrodes, each second electrode member also includes a second connection portion, which connects two second electrodes adjacent to each other along the second direction among the plurality of second electrodes and is insulated from the first connection portion, each first conductive member also includes a first connection line, which connects two first conductive patterns adjacent to each other along the first direction among the plurality of first conductive patterns, and each second conductive member also includes a second connection line, which connects two second conductive patterns adjacent to each other along the first direction among the plurality of second conductive patterns, wherein the plurality of first electrodes, the plurality of second electrodes, the plurality of first conductive patterns and the plurality of second conductive patterns are located in a first layer, any one of the first connection portion and the second connection portion is located in a second layer different from the first layer, the other of the first connection portion and the second connection portion is located in the first layer, and the first connection line and the second connection line are located in the second layer.

7. The touch sensor according to claim 6, further comprising an insulating layer located on the base layer, wherein: The first connection line and the second connection line are located on the base layer, the insulating layer is located on the first connection line and the second connection line, and the plurality of first electrodes, the plurality of second electrodes, the plurality of first conductive patterns, and the plurality of second conductive patterns are located on the insulating layer.

8. The touch sensor according to claim 7, wherein: The second conductive member further includes a third connection line connecting two second conductive patterns adjacent to each other along the second direction among the plurality of second conductive patterns and located in a third layer different from the first layer and the second layer.

9. The touch sensor according to claim 8, further comprising an upper insulating layer located on the plurality of second conductive patterns, wherein: The third connecting line is located on the upper insulating layer.

10. The touch sensor according to claim 1, wherein: Each first electrode member further includes a first connection portion, which connects two first electrodes adjacent to each other along the first direction among the plurality of first electrodes, each second electrode member further includes a second connection portion, which connects two second electrodes adjacent to each other along the second direction among the plurality of second electrodes and is insulated from the first connection portion, each first conductive member further includes a first connection line, which connects two first conductive patterns adjacent to each other along the first direction among the plurality of first conductive patterns, and each second conductive member further includes a second connection line, which connects two second conductive patterns adjacent to each other along the first direction among the plurality of second conductive patterns, wherein the plurality of first electrodes and the plurality of second electrodes are located in a first layer, any one of the first connection portion and the second connection portion is located in a second layer different from the first layer, the other of the first connection portion and the second connection portion is located in the first layer, and the plurality of first conductive patterns, the plurality of second conductive patterns, the first connection line and the second connection line are located in the second layer.

11. A display device, comprising: base substrate; A light emitting element is located on the base substrate; A thin film encapsulation layer, located on the light emitting element; a plurality of first electrode members, each comprising a plurality of first electrodes arranged on the base substrate along a first direction and electrically connected to each other along the first direction, each of the plurality of first electrodes comprising a first opening, wherein the plurality of first electrode members are spaced apart from each other along a second direction intersecting the first direction; a plurality of second electrode members, each comprising a plurality of second electrodes arranged on the base substrate along the second direction and electrically connected to each other along the second direction, each of the plurality of second electrodes comprising a second opening, wherein the plurality of second electrode members are spaced apart from each other along the first direction; a plurality of first conductive members, each comprising a plurality of first conductive patterns electrically connected to each other along the first direction, wherein the plurality of first conductive members are spaced apart from each other along the second direction; a plurality of second conductive members spaced apart from the first conductive member, each second conductive member comprising a plurality of second conductive patterns electrically connected to each other along the first direction, wherein the plurality of second conductive members are spaced apart from each other along the second direction; a proximity detector electrically connected to the second conductive member and configured to detect proximity of an object by receiving a proximity sensing signal from the second conductive member; a touch driver electrically connected to the second electrode member and configured to provide a touch driving signal to the second electrode member; and a touch detector electrically connected to the first electrode member and configured to receive a touch sensing signal from the first electrode member, wherein, for each of the first conductive members and a corresponding first electrode member of the plurality of first electrode members, each of the plurality of first conductive patterns of the first conductive member is located in the first opening of a corresponding first electrode of the plurality of first electrodes of the first electrode member and is spaced apart from each of the plurality of first electrodes of the first electrode member, wherein, for each of the plurality of second conductive members and a corresponding second electrode member of the plurality of second electrode members, each of the plurality of second conductive patterns of the second conductive member is located in the second opening of a corresponding second electrode of the plurality of second electrodes of the second electrode member and is spaced apart from each of the plurality of second electrodes of the second electrode member, and in: The first conductive member is electrically connected to the proximity detector, and the proximity detector is configured to receive a noise sensing signal from the first conductive member and eliminate noise included in the proximity sensing signal based on the noise sensing signal, and / or The first conductive member is electrically connected to the touch detector, and the touch detector is configured to receive a noise sensing signal from the first conductive member and to remove noise included in the touch sensing signal based on the noise sensing signal.

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